Fungicidal compositions

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to fungicidal compositions comprising as active ingredient a combination of components A) and B) as defined in the patent claims, to a method of controlling phytopathogenic diseases on crop plants using such a composition and to a method of protecting natural substances of vegetable and/or animal origin and/or their processed forms using such a composition.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/573,277filed Feb. 6, 2007, which is a 371 of International Application No.PCT/EP2005/008748 filed Aug. 11, 2005, which claims priority to GB0418047.7 filed Aug. 12, 2004, all the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to novel fungicidal compositions for thetreatment of phytopathogenic diseases of useful plants, especiallyphytopathogenic fungi, to a method of controlling phytopathogenicdiseases on useful plants and to a method of protecting naturalsubstances of vegetable and/or animal origin and/or their processedforms.

It is known that certain o-cyclopropyl-carboxanilide derivatives havebiological activity against phytopathogenic fungi, e.g. known from WO03/074491 where their properties and methods of preparation aredescribed. On the other hand various fungicidal compounds of differentchemical classes are widely known as plant fungicides for application invarious crops of cultivated plants. However, crop tolerance and activityagainst phytopathogenic plant fungi do not always satisfy the needs ofagricultural practice in many incidents and aspects.

There is therefore proposed in accordance with the present invention amethod of controlling phytopathogenic diseases on useful plants or onpropagation material thereof, which comprises applying to the usefulplants, the locus thereof or propagation material thereof a combinationof components A) and B) in a synergistically effective amount, wherein

component A) is a compound of formula I

whereinR₁ is trifluoromethyl or difluoromethyl andR₂ is hydrogen or methyl; or a tautomer of such a compound; andcomponent B) is a compound selected from the group consisting of Benomyl(62); Carbendazim (116); Fuberidazole (419); Thiabendazole (790);Thiophanate (1435); Thiophanate-methyl (802); Chlozolinate (149);Iprodione (470); Procymidone (660); Vinclozolin (849); Azaconazole (40);Bitertanol (84); Bromuconazole (96); Cyproconazole (207); Difenoconazole(247); Diniconazole (267); Diniconazole-M (267); Epoxiconazole (298);Fenarimol (327); Fenbuconazole (329); Fluquinconazole (385); Flusilazole(393); Flutriafol (397); Hexaconazole (435); Imazalil (449);Imibenconazole (457); Ipconazole (468); Metconazole (525); Myclobutanil(564); Nuarimol (587); Oxpoconazole (607); Pefurazoate (618);Penconazole (619); Prochloraz (659); Propiconazole (675);Prothioconazole (685); Pyrifenox (703); Simeconazole (731); Tebuconazole(761); Tetraconazole (778); Triadimefon (814); Triadimenol (815);Triflumizole (834); Triforine (838); Triticonazole (842); Benalaxyl(56); Furalaxyl (410); Metalaxyl (516); Mefenoxam (Metalaxyl-M) (517);Ofurace (592); Oxadixyl (601); Aldimorph; Dodemorph (288); Fenpropimorph(344); Fenpropidin (343); Spiroxamine (740); Tridemorph (830);Edifenphos (290); Iprobenfos (IBP) (469); Isoprothiolane (474);Pyrazophos (693); Benodanil (896); Carboxin (120); Fenfuram (333);Flutolanil (396); Furametpyr (411); Mepronil (510); Oxycarboxin (608);Thifluzamide (796); Bupirimate (98); Dimethirimol (1082); Ethirimol(1133); Cyprodinil (208); Mepanipyrim (508); Pyrimethanil (705);Diethofencarb (245); Azoxystrobin (47); Famoxadone (322); Fenamidone(325); Kresoxim-methyl (485); Metominostrobin (551); Picoxystrobin(647); Pyraclostrobin (690); Trifloxystrobin (832); Fenpiclonil (341);Fludioxonil (368); Quinoxyfen (715); Biphenyl (81); Chloroneb (139);Dicloran (240); Etridiazole (321); Quintozene (PCNB) (716); Tecnazene(TCNB) (767); Tolclofos-methyl (808); Dimethomorph (263); Carpropamid(122); Diclocymet (237); Fenoxanil (338); Fthalide (643); Pyroquilon(710); Tricyclazole (828); Fenhexamid (334); Polyoxin (654); Pencycuron(620); Cyazofamid (185); Zoxamide (857); Blasticidin-S (85); Kasugamycin(483); Streptomycin (744); Validamycin (846); Cymoxanil (200); Iodocarb(3-Iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate); Propamocarb (668); Prothiocarb(1361); Dinocap (270); Fluazinam (363); Fentin acetate (347); Fentinchloride; Fentin hydroxide (347); Oxolinic acid (606); Hymexazole;Octhilinone (590); Fosetyl-Aluminium (407); Phosphoric acid;Tecloftalam; Triazoxide (821); Flusulfamide (394); Ferimzone (351);Diclomezine (239); Anilazine (878); Arsenates; Captafol (113); Captan(114); Chlorothalonil (142); Copper (diverse salts); CopperAmmoniumcarbonate; Copper octanoate (170); Copper oleate; Coppersulphate (87; 172; 173); Copper hydroxide (169); Dichlofluanid (230);Dithianon (279); Dodine (289); Ferbam (350); Folpet (400); Guazatine(422); Iminoctadine (459); Mancozeb (496); Maneb (497); Mercury; Metiram(546); Propineb (676); Sulphur (754); Thiram (804); Tolylfluanid (810);Zineb (855); Ziram (856); Acibenzolar-5-methyl (6); Probenazole (658);Benthiavalicarb; Benthiavalicarb-isopropyl (68); Iprovalicarb (471);Diflumetorim (253); Ethaboxam (304); Flusulfamide (394); Methasulfocarb(528); Silthiofam (729); Bacillus pumilus GB34; Bacillus pumilus strainQST 2808; Bacillus subtilis (50); Bacilus subtilis+PCNB+Metalaxyl (50;716; 516); Cadmium chloride; Carbon disulfide (945); Bordeaux mixture(87); Cedar leaf oil; Chlorine; Cinnamaldehyde; Cycloheximide (1022);Fenaminosulf (1144); Fenamiphos (326); Dichloropropene (233); Dichlone(1052); Formaldehyde (404); Gliocladium virens GL-21 (417); Glyodin(1205); Hexachlorobenzene (434); Iprovalicarb (471); Manganousdimethyldithiocarbamate; Mercuric chloride (511); Nabam (566); Neem oil(hydrophobic extract); Oxytetracycline (611); Chinomethionat (126);Paraformaldehyde; Pentachloronitrobenzene (716); Pentachlorophenol(623); paraffin oil (628); Polyoxin D zinc salt (654); Sodiumbicarbonate; Potassium bicarbonate; Sodium diacetate; Sodium propionate;TCMTB; Benalaxyl-M; Boscalid (88); Fluoxastrobin (382); Hexaconazole(435); Metrafenone; Oxine Copper (605); Penthiopyrad; Perfurazoate;Tolyfluanid; Trichoderma harzianum (825); Triphenyltin hydroxide (347);Xanthomonas campestris (852); Paclobutrazol (612);1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2-ethoxyethanol (IUPAC-Name) (910);2,4-dichlorophenyl benzenesulfonate (IUPAC-/Chemical Abstracts-Name)(1059); 2-fluoro-N-methyl-N-1-naphthylacetamide (IUPAC-Name) (1295);4-chlorophenyl phenyl sulfone (IUPAC-Name) (981); abamectin (1);acequinocyl (3); acetoprole [CCN]; acrinathrin (9); aldicarb (16);aldoxycarb (863); alpha-cypermethrin (202); amidithion (870);amidoflumet [CCN]; amidothioate (872); amiton (875); amiton hydrogenoxalate (875); amitraz (24); aramite (881); arsenous oxide (882); AVI382 (compound code); AZ 60541 (compound code); azinphos-ethyl (44);azinphos-methyl (45); azobenzene (IUPAC-Name) (888); azocyclotin (46);azothoate (889); benomyl (62); benoxafos (alternative name) [CCN];benzoximate (71); benzyl benzoate (IUPAC-Name) [CCN]; bifenazate (74);bifenthrin (76); binapacryl (907); brofenvalerate (alternative name);bromocyclen (918); bromophos (920); bromophos-ethyl (921);bromopropylate (94); buprofezin (99); butocarboxim (103); butoxycarboxim(104); butylpyridaben (alternative name); calcium polysulfide(IUPAC-Name) (111); camphechlor (941); carbanolate (943); carbaryl(115); carbofuran (118); carbophenothion (947); CGA 50′439 (developmentcode) (125); chinomethionat (126); chlorbenside (959); chlordimeform(964); chlordimeform hydrochloride (964); chlorfenapyr (130);chlorfenethol (968); chlorfenson (970); chlorfensulphide (971);chlorfenvinphos (131); chlorobenzilate (975); chloromebuform (977);chloromethiuron (978); chloropropylate (983); chlorpyrifos (145);chlorpyrifos-methyl (146); chlorthiophos (994); cinerin I (696); cinerinII (696); cinerins (696); clofentezine (158); closantel (alternativename) [CCN]; coumaphos (174); crotamiton (alternative name) [CCN];crotoxyphos (1010); cufraneb (1013); cyanthoate (1020); cyhalothrin(196); cyhexatin (199); cypermethrin (201); DCPM (1032); DDT (219);demephion (1037); demephion-O (1037); demephion-S (1037); demeton(1038); demeton-methyl (224); demeton-O (1038); demeton-O-methyl (224);demeton-S (1038); demeton-5-methyl (224); demeton-5-methylsulphon(1039); diafenthiuron (226); dialifos (1042); diazinon (227);dichlofluanid (230); dichlorvos (236); dicliphos (alternative name);dicofol (242); dicrotophos (243); dienochlor (1071); dimefox (1081);dimethoate (262); dinactin (alternative name) (653); dinex (1089);dinex-diclexine (1089); dinobuton (269); dinocap (270); dinocap-4 [CCN];dinocap-6 [CCN]; dinocton (1090); dinopenton (1092); dinosulfon (1097);dinoterbon (1098); dioxathion (1102); diphenyl sulfone (IUPAC-Name)(1103); disulfuram (alternative name) [CCN]; disulfoton (278); DNOC(282); dofenapyn (1113); doramectin (alternative name) [CCN]; endosulfan(294); endothion (1121); EPN (297); eprinomectin (alternative name)[CCN]; ethion (309); ethoate-methyl (1134); etoxazole (320); etrimfos(1142); fenazaflor (1147); fenazaquin (328); fenbutatin oxide (330);fenothiocarb (337); fenpropathrin (342); fenpyrad (alternative name);fenpyroximate (345); fenson (1157); fentrifanil (1161); fenvalerate(349); fipronil (354); fluacrypyrim (360); fluazuron (1166);flubenzimine (1167); flucycloxuron (366); flucythrinate (367); fluenetil(1169); flufenoxuron (370); flumethrin (372); fluorbenside (1174);fluvalinate (1184); FMC 1137 (development code) (1185); formetanate(405); formetanate hydrochloride (405); formothion (1192); formparanate(1193); gamma-HCH (430); glyodin (1205); halfenprox (424); heptenophos(432); hexadecyl cyclopropanecarboxylate (IUPAC-/ChemicalAbstracts-Name) (1216); hexythiazox (441); iodomethane (IUPAC-Name)(542); isocarbophos (alternative name) (473); isopropylO-(methoxyaminothiophosphoryl)salicylate (IUPAC-Name) (473); ivermectin(alternative name) [CCN]; jasmolin I (696); jasmolin II (696);jodfenphos (1248); lindane (430); lufenuron (490); malathion (492);malonoben (1254); mecarbam (502); mephosfolan (1261); mesulfen(alternative name) [CCN]; methacrifos (1266); methamidophos (527);methidathion (529); methiocarb (530); methomyl (531); methyl bromide(537); metolcarb (550); mevinphos (556); mexacarbate (1290); milbemectin(557); milbemycin oxime (alternative name) [CCN]; mipafox (1293);monocrotophos (561); morphothion (1300); moxidectin (alternative name)[CCN]; naled (567); NC-184 (compound code); nifluridide (1309);nikkomycins (alternative name) [CCN]; nitrilacarb (1313); nitrilacarb1:1 zinc chloride complex (1313); NNI-0101 (compound code); NNI-0250(compound code); omethoate (594); oxamyl (602); oxydeprofos (1324);oxydisulfoton (1325); pp′-DDT (219); parathion (615); permethrin (626);petroleum oils (alternative name) (628); phenkapton (1330); phenthoate(631); phorate (636); phosalone (637); phosfolan (1338); phosmet (638);phosphamidon (639); phoxim (642); pirimiphos-methyl (652);polychloroterpenes (traditional name) (1347); polynactins (alternativename) (653); proclonol (1350); profenofos (662); promacyl (1354);propargite (671); propetamphos (673); propoxur (678); prothidathion(1360); prothoate (1362); pyrethrin I (696); pyrethrin II (696);pyrethrins (696); pyridaben (699); pyridaphenthion (701); pyrimidifen(706); pyrimitate (1370); quinalphos (711); quintiofos (1381); R-1492(development code) (1382); RA-17 (development code) (1383); rotenone(722); schradan (1389); sebufos (alternative name); selamectin(alternative name) [CCN]; S1-0009 (compound code); sophamide (1402);spirodiclofen (738); spiromesifen (739); SSI-121 (development code)(1404); sulfuram (alternative name) [CCN]; sulfluramid (750); sulfotep(753); sulfur (754); SZI-121 (development code) (757); tau-fluvalinate(398); tebufenpyrad (763); TEPP (1417); terbam (alternative name);tetrachlorvinphos (777); tetradifon (786); tetranactin (alternativename) (653); tetrasul (1425); thiafenox (alternative name);thiocarboxime (1431); thiofanox (800); thiometon (801); thioquinox(1436); thuringiensin (alternative name) [CCN]; triamiphos (1441);triarathene (1443); triazophos (820); triazuron (alternative name);trichlorfon (824); trifenofos (1455); trinactin (alternative name)(653); vamidothion (847); vaniliprole [CCN]; YI-5302 (compound code);bethoxazin [CCN]; copper dioctanoate (IUPAC-Name) (170); copper sulfate(172); cybutryne [CCN]; dichlone (1052); dichlorophen (232); endothal(295); fentin (347); hydrated lime [CCN]; nabam (566); quinoclamine(714); quinonamid (1379); simazine (730); triphenyltin acetate(IUPAC-Name) (347); triphenyltin hydroxide (IUPAC-Name) (347); abamectin(1); crufomate (1011); doramectin (alternative name) [CCN]; emamectin(291); emamectin benzoate (291); eprinomectin (alternative name) [CCN];ivermectin (alternative name) [CCN]; milbemycin oxime (alternative name)[CCN]; moxidectin (alternative name) [CCN]; piperazine [CCN]; selamectin(alternative name) [CCN]; spinosad (737); thiophanate (1435); chloralose(127); endrin (1122); fenthion (346); pyridin-4-amine (IUPAC-Name) (23);strychnine (745); 1-hydroxy-1H-pyridine-2-thione (IUPAC-Name) (1222);4-(quinoxalin-2-ylamino)benzenesulfonamide (IUPAC-Name) (748);8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (446); bronopol (97); copper dioctanoate(IUPAC-Name) (170); copper hydroxide (IUPAC-Name) (169); cresol [CCN];dichlorophen (232); dipyrithione (1105); dodicin (1112); fenaminosulf(1144); formaldehyde (404); hydrargaphen (alternative name) [CCN];kasugamycin (483); kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate (483); nickelbis(dimethyldithiocarbamate) (IUPAC-Name) (1308); nitrapyrin (580);octhilinone (590); oxolinic acid (606); oxytetracycline (611); potassiumhydroxyquinoline sulfate (446); probenazole (658); streptomycin (744);streptomycin sesquisulfate (744); tecloftalam (766); thiomersal(alternative name) [CCN]; iodomethane (IUPAC-Name) (542); methyl bromide(537); apholate [CCN]; bisazir (alternative name) [CCN]; busulfan(alternative name) [CCN]; diflubenzuron (250); dimatif (alternativename) [CCN]; hemel [CCN]; hempa [CCN]; metepa [CCN]; methiotepa [CCN];methyl apholate [CCN]; morzid [CCN]; penfluoron (alternative name)[CCN]; tepa [CCN]; thiohempa (alternative name) [CCN]; thiotepa(alternative name) [CCN]; tretamine (alternative name) [CCN]; uredepa(alternative name) [CCN]; (E)-dec-5-en-1-yl acetate with(E)-dec-5-en-1-ol (IUPAC-Name) (222); (E)-tridec-4-en-1-yl acetate(IUPAC-Name) (829); (E)-6-methylhept-2-en-4-ol (IUPAC-Name) (541);(E,Z)-tetradeca-4,10-dien-1-yl acetate (IUPAC-Name) (779);(Z)-dodec-7-en-1-yl acetate (IUPAC-Name) (285); (Z)-hexadec-11-enal(IUPAC-Name) (436); (Z)-hexadec-11-en-1-yl acetate (IUPAC-Name) (437);(Z)-hexadec-13-en-11-yn-1-yl acetate (IUPAC-Name) (438);(Z)-icos-13-en-10-one (IUPAC-Name) (448); (Z)-tetradec-7-en-1-al(IUPAC-Name) (782); (Z)-tetradec-9-en-1-ol (IUPAC-Name) (783);(Z)-tetradec-9-en-1-yl acetate (IUPAC-Name) (784);(7E,9Z)-dodeca-7,9-dien-1-yl acetate (IUPAC-Name) (283);(9Z,11E)-tetradeca-9,1′-dien-1-yl acetate (IUPAC-Name) (780);(9Z,12E)-tetradeca-9,12-dien-1-yl acetate (IUPAC-Name) (781);14-methyloctadec-1-ene (IUPAC-Name) (545); 4-methylnonan-5-ol with4-methylnonan-5-one (IUPAC-Name) (544); alpha-multistriatin (alternativename) [CCN]; brevicomin (alternative name) [CCN]; codlelure (alternativename) [CCN]; codlemone (alternative name) (167); cuelure (alternativename) (179); disparlure (277); dodec-8-en-1-yl acetate (IUPAC-Name)(286); dodec-9-en-1-yl acetate (IUPAC-Name) (287); dodeca-8,10-dien-1-ylacetate (IUPAC-Name) (284); dominicalure (alternative name) [CCN]; ethyl4-methyloctanoate (IUPAC-Name) (317); eugenol (alternative name) [CCN];frontalin (alternative name) [CCN]; gossyplure (alternative name) (420);grandlure (421); grandlure I (alternative name) (421); grandlure II(alternative name) (421); grandlure III (alternative name) (421);grandlure IV (alternative name) (421); hexylure [CCN]; ipsdienol(alternative name) [CCN]; ipsenol (alternative name) [CCN]; japonilure(alternative name) (481); lineatin (alternative name) [CCN]; litlure(alternative name) [CCN]; looplure (alternative name) [CCN]; medlure[CCN]; megatomoic acid (alternative name) [CCN]; methyl eugenol(alternative name) (540); muscalure (563); octadeca-2,13-dien-1-ylacetate (IUPAC-Name) (588); octadeca-3,13-dien-1-yl acetate (IUPAC-Name)(589); orfralure (alternative name) [CCN]; oryctalure (alternative name)(317); ostramone (alternative name) [CCN]; siglure [CCN]; sordidin(alternative name) (736); sulcatol (alternative name) [CCN];tetradec-11-en-1-yl acetate (IUPAC-Name) (785); trimedlure (839);trimedlure A (alternative name) (839); trimedlure B₁ (alternative name)(839); trimedlure B₂ (alternative name) (839); trimedlure C (alternativename) (839); trunc-call (alternative name) [CCN]; 2-(octylthio)ethanol(IUPAC-Name) (591); butopyronoxyl (933); butoxy(polypropylene glycol)(936); dibutyl adipate (IUPAC-Name) (1046); dibutyl phthalate (1047);dibutyl succinate (IUPAC-Name) (1048); diethyltoluamide [CCN]; dimethylcarbate [CCN]; dimethyl phthalate [CCN]; ethyl hexanediol (1137);hexamide [CCN]; methoquin-butyl (1276); methylneodecanamide [CCN];oxamate [CCN]; picaridin [CCN]; 1,1-dichloro-1-nitroethane(IUPAC-/Chemical Abstracts-Name) (1058);1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-ethylphenyl)ethane (IUPAC-Name) (1056);1,2-dichloropropane (IUPAC-/Chemical Abstracts-Name) (1062);1,2-dichloropropane with 1,3-dichloropropene (IUPAC-Name) (1063);1-bromo-2-chloroethane (IUPAC-/Chemical Abstracts-Name) (916);2,2,2-trichloro-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl acetate (IUPAC-Name) (1451);2,2-dichlorovinyl 2-ethylsulfinylethyl methyl phosphate (IUPAC-Name)(1066); 2-(1,3-dithiolan-2-yl)phenyl dimethylcarbamate (IUPAC-/ChemicalAbstracts-Name) (1109); 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl thiocyanate(IUPAC-/Chemical Abstracts-Name) (935);2-(4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)phenyl methylcarbamate(IUPAC-/Chemical Abstracts-Name) (1084);2-(4-chloro-3,5-xylyloxy)ethanol (IUPAC-Name) (986); 2-chlorovinyldiethyl phosphate (IUPAC-Name) (984); 2-imidazolidone (IUPAC-Name)(1225); 2-isovalerylindan-1,3-dione (IUPAC-Name) (1246);2-methyl(prop-2-ynyl)aminophenyl methylcarbamate (IUPAC-Name) (1284);2-thiocyanatoethyl laurate (IUPAC-Name) (1433);3-bromo-1-chloroprop-1-ene (IUPAC-Name) (917);3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-yl dimethylcarbamate (IUPAC-Name) (1283);4-methyl(prop-2-ynyl)amino-3,5-xylyl methylcarbamate (IUPAC-Name)(1285); 5,5-dimethyl-3-oxocyclohex-1-enyl dimethylcarbamate (IUPAC-Name)(1085); abamectin (1); acephate (2); acetamiprid (4); acethion(alternative name) [CCN]; acetoprole [CCN]; acrinathrin (9);acrylonitrile (IUPAC-Name) (861); alanycarb (15); aldicarb (16);aldoxycarb (863); aldrin (864); allethrin (17); allosamidin (alternativename) [CCN]; allyxycarb (866); alpha-cypermethrin (202); alpha-ecdysone(alternative name) [CCN]; aluminium phosphide (640); amidithion (870);amidothioate (872); aminocarb (873); amiton (875); amiton hydrogenoxalate (875); amitraz (24); anabasine (877); athidathion (883); AVI 382(compound code); AZ 60541 (compound code); azadirachtin (alternativename) (41); azamethiphos (42); azinphos-ethyl (44); azinphos-methyl(45); azothoate (889); Bacillus thuringiensis delta endotoxins(alternative name) (52); barium hexafluorosilicate (alternative name)[CCN]; barium polysulfide (IUPAC-/Chemical Abstracts-Name) (892);barthrin [CCN]; BAS 3201 (compound code); Bayer 22/190 (developmentcode) (893); Bayer 22408 (development code) (894); bendiocarb (58);benfuracarb (60); bensultap (66); beta-cyfluthrin (194);beta-cypermethrin (203); bifenthrin (76); bioallethrin (78);bioallethrin S-cyclopentenyl isomer (alternative name) (79);bioethanomethrin [CCN]; biopermethrin (908); bioresmethrin (80);bis(2-chloroethyl)ether (IUPAC-Name) (909); bistrifluoron (83); borax(86); brofenvalerate (alternative name); bromfenvinfos (914);bromocyclen (918); bromo-DDT (alternative name) [CCN]; bromophos (920);bromophos-ethyl (921); bufencarb (924); buprofezin (99); butacarb (926);butathiofos (927); butocarboxim (103); butonate (932); butoxycarboxim(104); butylpyridaben (alternative name); cadusafos (109); calciumarsenate [CCN]; calcium cyanide (444); calcium polysulfide (IUPAC-Name)(111); camphechlor (941); carbanolate (943); carbaryl (115); carbofuran(118); carbon disulfide (IUPAC-/Chemical Abstracts-Name) (945); carbontetrachloride (IUPAC-Name) (946); carbophenothion (947); carbosulfan(119); cartap (123); cartap hydrochloride (123); cevadine (alternativename) (725); chlorbicyclen (960); chlordane (128); chlordecone (963);chlordimeform (964); chlordimeform hydrochloride (964); chlorethoxyfos(129); chlorfenapyr (130); chlorfenvinphos (131); chlorfluazuron (132);chlormephos (136); chloroform [CCN]; chloropicrin (141); chlorphoxim(989); chlorprazophos (990); chlorpyrifos (145); chlorpyrifos-methyl(146); chlorthiophos (994); chromafenozide (150); cinerin I (696);cinerin II (696); cinerins (696); cis-resmethrin (alternative name);cismethrin (80); clocythrin (alternative name); cloethocarb (999);closantel (alternative name) [CCN]; clothianidin (165); copperacetoarsenite [CCN]; copper arsenate [CCN]; copper oleate [CCN];coumaphos (174); coumithoate (1006); crotamiton (alternative name)[CCN]; crotoxyphos (1010); crufomate (1011); cryolite (alternative name)(177); CS 708 (development code) (1012); cyanofenphos (1019); cyanophos(184); cyanthoate (1020); cyclethrin [CCN]; cycloprothrin (188);cyfluthrin (193); cyhalothrin (196); cypermethrin (201); cyphenothrin(206); cyromazine (209); cythioate (alternative name) [CCN]; d-limonene(alternative name) [CCN]; d-tetramethrin (alternative name) (788); DAEP(1031); dazomet (216); DDT (219); decarbofuran (1034); deltamethrin(223); demephion (1037); demephion-O (1037); demephion-S (1037); demeton(1038); demeton-methyl (224); demeton-O (1038); demeton-O-methyl (224);demeton-S (1038); demeton-5-methyl (224); demeton-5-methylsulphon(1039); diafenthiuron (226); dialifos (1042); diamidafos (1044);diazinon (227); dicapthon (1050); dichlofenthion (1051); dichlorvos(236); dicliphos (alternative name); dicresyl (alternative name) [CCN];dicrotophos (243); dicyclanil (244); dieldrin (1070); diethyl5-methylpyrazol-3-yl phosphate (IUPAC-Name) (1076); diflubenzuron (250);dilor (alternative name) [CCN]; dimefluthrin [CCN]; dimefox (1081);dimetan (1085); dimethoate (262); dimethrin (1083); dimethylvinphos(265); dimetilan (1086); dinex (1089); dinex-diclexine (1089); dinoprop(1093); dinosam (1094); dinoseb (1095); dinotefuran (271); diofenolan(1099); dioxabenzofos (1100); dioxacarb (1101); dioxathion (1102);disulfoton (278); dithicrofos (1108); DNOC (282); doramectin(alternative name) [CCN]; DSP (1115); ecdysterone (alternative name)[CCN]; EI 1642 (development code) (1118); emamectin (291); emamectinbenzoate (291); EMPC (1120); empenthrin (292); endosulfan (294);endothion (1121); endrin (1122); EPBP (1123); EPN (297); epofenonane(1124); eprinomectin (alternative name) [CCN]; esfenvalerate (302);etaphos (alternative name) [CCN]; ethiofencarb (308); ethion (309);ethiprole (310); ethoate-methyl (1134); ethoprophos (312); ethyl formate(IUPAC-Name) [CCN]; ethyl-DDD (alternative name) (1056); ethylenedibromide (316); ethylene dichloride (chemical name) (1136); ethyleneoxide [CCN]; etofenprox (319); etrimfos (1142); EXD (1143); famphur(323); fenamiphos (326); fenazaflor (1147); fenchlorphos (1148);fenethacarb (1149); fenfluthrin (1150); fenitrothion (335); feno-bucarb(336); fenoxacrim (1153); fenoxycarb (340); fenpirithrin (1155);fenpropathrin (342); fenpyrad (alternative name); fensulfothion (1158);fenthion (346); fenthion-ethyl [CCN]; fenvalerate (349); fipronil (354);flonicamid (358); flucofuron (1168); flucycloxuron (366); flucythrinate(367); fluenetil (1169); flufenerim [CCN]; flufenoxuron (370);flufenprox (1171); flumethrin (372); fluvalinate (1184); FMC 1137(development code) (1185); fonofos (1191); formetanate (405);formetanate hydrochloride (405); formothion (1192); formparanate (1193);fosmethilan (1194); fospirate (1195); fosthiazate (408); fosthietan(1196); furathiocarb (412); furethrin (1200); gamma-cyhalothrin (197);gamma-HCH (430); guazatine (422); guazatine acetates (422); GY-81(development code) (423); halfenprox (424); halofenozide (425); HCH(430); HEOD (1070); heptachlor (1211); heptenophos (432); heterophos[CCN]; hexaflumuron (439); HHDN (864); hydramethylnon (443); hydrogencyanide (444); hydroprene (445); hyquincarb (1223); imidacloprid (458);imiprothrin (460); indoxacarb (465); iodomethane (IUPAC-Name) (542);IPSP (1229); isazofos (1231); isobenzan (1232); isocarbophos(alternative name) (473); isodrin (1235); isofenphos (1236); isolane(1237); isoprocarb (472); isopropylO-(methoxyaminothiophosphoryl)salicylate (IUPAC-Name) (473);isoprothiolane (474); isothioate (1244); isoxathion (480); ivermectin(alternative name) [CCN]; jasmolin I (696); jasmolin II (696);jodfenphos (1248); juvenile hormone I (alternative name) [CCN]; juvenilehormone II (alternative name) [CCN]; juvenile hormone III (alternativename) [CCN]; kelevan (1249); kinoprene (484); lambda-cyhalothrin (198);lead arsenate [CCN]; leptophos (1250); lindane (430); lirimfos (1251);lufenuron (490); lythidathion (1253); m-cumenyl methylcarbamate(IUPAC-Name) (1014); magnesium phosphide (IUPAC-Name) (640); malathion(492); malonoben (1254); mazidox (1255); mecarbam (502); mecarphon(1258); menazon (1260); mephosfolan (1261); mercurous chloride (513);mesulfenfos (1263); metam (519); metam-potassium (alternative name)(519); metam-sodium (519); methacrifos (1266); methamidophos (527);methanesulfonyl fluoride (IUPAC-/Chemical Abstracts-Name) (1268);methidathion (529); methiocarb (530); methocrotophos (1273); methomyl(531); methoprene (532); methoquin-butyl (1276); methothrin (alternativename) (533); methoxychlor (534); methoxyfenozide (535); methyl bromide(537); methyl isothiocyanate (543); methylchloroform (alternative name)[CCN]; methylene chloride [CCN]; metofluthrin [CCN]; metolcarb (550);metoxadiazone (1288); mevinphos (556); mexacarbate (1290); milbemectin(557); milbemycin oxime (alternative name) [CCN]; mipafox (1293); mirex(1294); monocrotophos (561); morphothion (1300); moxidectin (alternativename) [CCN]; naftalofos (alternative name) [CCN]; naled (567);naphthalene (IUPAC-/Chemical Abstracts-Name) (1303); NC-170 (developmentcode) (1306); NC-184 (compound code); nicotine (578); nicotine sulfate(578); nifluridide (1309); nitenpyram (579); nithiazine (1311);nitrilacarb (1313); nitrilacarb 1:1 zinc chloride complex (1313);NNI-0101 (compound code); NNI-0250 (compound code); nornicotine(traditional name) (1319); novaluron (585); noviflumuron (586);O-2,5-dichloro-4-iodophenyl O-ethyl ethylphosphonothioate (IUPAC-Name)(1057); O,O-diethyl O-4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl phosphorothioate(IUPAC-Name) (1074); O,O-diethyl O-6-methyl-2-propylpyrimidin-4-ylphosphorothioate (IUPAC-Name) (1075); O,O,O′,O′-tetrapropyldithiopyrophosphate (IUPAC-Name) (1424); oleic acid (IUPAC-Name) (593);omethoate (594); oxamyl (602); oxydemeton-methyl (609); oxydeprofos(1324); oxydisulfoton (1325); pp′-DDT (219); para-dichlorobenzene [CCN];parathion (615); parathion-methyl (616); penfluoron (alternative name)[CCN]; pentachlorophenol (623); pentachlorophenyl laurate (IUPAC-Name)(623); permethrin (626); petroleum oils (alternative name) (628); PH60-38 (development code) (1328); phenkapton (1330); phenothrin (630);phenthoate (631); phorate (636); phosalone (637); phosfolan (1338);phosmet (638); phosnichlor (1339); phosphamidon (639); phosphine(IUPAC-Name) (640); phoxim (642); phoxim-methyl (1340); pirimetaphos(1344); pirimicarb (651); pirimiphos-ethyl (1345); pirimiphos-methyl(652); polychlorodicyclopentadiene isomers (IUPAC-Name) (1346);polychloroterpenes (traditional name) (1347); potassium arsenite [CCN];potassium thiocyanate [CCN]; prallethrin (655); precocene I (alternativename) [CCN]; precocene II (alternative name) [CCN]; precocene III(alternative name) [CCN]; primidophos (1349); profenofos (662);profluthrin [CCN]; promacyl (1354); promecarb (1355); propaphos (1356);propetamphos (673); propoxur (678); prothidathion (1360); prothiofos(686); prothoate (1362); protrifenbute [CCN]; pymetrozine (688);pyraclofos (689); pyrazophos (693); pyresmethrin (1367); pyrethrin I(696); pyrethrin II (696); pyrethrins (696); pyridaben (699); pyridalyl(700); pyridaphenthion (701); pyrimidifen (706); pyrimitate (1370);pyriproxyfen (708); quassia (alternative name) [CCN]; quinalphos (711);quinalphos-methyl (1376); quinothion (1380); quintiofos (1381); R-1492(development code) (1382); rafoxanide (alternative name) [CCN];resmethrin (719); rotenone (722); RU 15525 (development code) (723); RU25475 (development code) (1386); ryania (alternative name) (1387);ryanodine (traditional name) (1387); sabadilla (alternative name) (725);schradan (1389); sebufos (alternative name); selamectin (alternativename) [CCN]; SI-0009 (compound code); silafluofen (728); SN 72129(development code) (1397); sodium arsenite [CCN]; sodium cyanide (444);sodium fluoride (IUPAC-/Chemical Abstracts-Name) (1399); sodiumhexafluorosilicate (1400); sodium pentachlorophenoxide (623); sodiumselenate (IUPAC-Name) (1401); sodium thiocyanate [CCN]; sophamide(1402); spinosad (737); spiromesifen (739); sulcofuron (746);sulcofuron-sodium (746); sulfluramid (750); sulfotep (753); sulfurylfluoride (756); sulprofos (1408); tar oils (alternative name) (758);tau-fluvalinate (398); tazimcarb (1412); TDE (1414); tebufenozide (762);tebufenpyrad (763); tebupirimfos (764); teflubenzuron (768); tefluthrin(769); temephos (770); TEPP (1417); terallethrin (1418); terbam(alternative name); terbufos (773); tetrachloroethane [CCN];tetrachlorvinphos (777); tetramethrin (787); theta-cypermethrin (204);thiacloprid (791); thiafenox (alternative name); thiamethoxam (792);thicrofos (1428); thiocarboxime (1431); thiocyclam (798); thiocyclamhydrogen oxalate (798); thiodicarb (799); thiofanox (800); thiometon(801); thionazin (1434); thiosultap (803); thiosultap-sodium (803);thuringiensin (alternative name) [CCN]; tolfenpyrad (809); tralomethrin(812); transfluthrin (813); transpermethrin (1440); triamiphos (1441);triazamate (818); triazophos (820); triazuron (alternative name);trichlorfon (824); trichlormetaphos-3 (alternative name) [CCN];trichloronat (1452); trifenofos (1455); triflumuron (835); trimethacarb(840); triprene (1459); vamidothion (847); vaniliprole [CCN];veratridine (alternative name) (725); veratrine (alternative name)(725); XMC (853); xylylcarb (854); YI-5302 (compound code);zeta-cypermethrin (205); zetamethrin (alternative name); zinc phosphide(640); zolaprofos (1469) and ZXI 8901 (development code) (858); acompound of formula A-1

a compound of formula A-2

a compound of formula A-3

a compound of formula A-4

a compound of formula A-5

a compound of formula A-6

a compound of formula A-7

a compound of formula A-8

a compound of formula A-9

a compound of formula A-10

a compound of formula A-11

a compound of formula A-12

a compound of formula A-13

a compound of formula A-14

a compound of formula A-15

a compound of formula A-15A

a compound of formula (A-16)

a compound of formula (A-17)

a compound of formula (A-18)

a compound of formula (A-19)

a compound of formula (A-20)

a compound of formula (A-21)

a compound of formula (A-22)

a compound of formula (A-23)

a compound of formula (A-24)

a compound of formula (A-25)

a compound of formula (A-26)

bis(tributyltin) oxide (IUPAC-Name) (913); bromoacetamide [CCN]; calciumarsenate [CCN]; cloethocarb (999); copper acetoarsenite [CCN]; coppersulfate (172); fentin (347); ferric phosphate (IUPAC-Name) (352);metaldehyde (518); methiocarb (530); niclosamide (576);niclosamideolamine (576); pentachlorophenol (623); sodiumpentachlorophenoxide (623); tazimcarb (1412); thiodicarb (799);tributyltin oxide (913); trifenmorph (1454); trimethacarb (840);triphenyltin acetate (IUPAC-Name) (347); triphenyltin hydroxide(IUPAC-Name) (347); 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (IUPAC-/ChemicalAbstracts-Name) (1045); 1,2-dichloropropane (IUPAC-/ChemicalAbstracts-Name) (1062); 1,2-dichloropropane with 1,3-dichloropropene(IUPAC-Name) (1063); 1,3-dichloropropene (233);3,4-dichlorotetrahydrothiophene 1,1-dioxide (IUPAC-/ChemicalAbstracts-Name) (1065); 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methylrhodanine(IUPAC-Name) (980); 5-methyl-6-thioxo-1,3,5-thiadiazinan-3-ylacetic acid(IUPAC-Name) (1286); 6-isopentenylaminopurine (alternative name) (210);abamectin (1); acetoprole [CCN]; alanycarb (15); aldicarb (16);aldoxycarb (863); AZ 60541 (compound code); benclothiaz [CCN]; benomyl(62); butylpyridaben (alternative name); cadusafos (109); carbofuran(118); carbon disulfide (945); carbosulfan (119); chloropicrin (141);chlorpyrifos (145); cloethocarb (999); cytokinins (alternative name)(210); dazomet (216); DBCP (1045); DCIP (218); diamidafos (1044);dichlofenthion (1051); dicliphos (alternative name); dimethoate (262);doramectin (alternative name) [CCN]; emamectin (291); emamectin benzoate(291); eprinomectin (alternative name) [CCN]; ethoprophos (312);ethylene dibromide (316); fenamiphos (326); fenpyrad (alternative name);fensulfothion (1158); fosthiazate (408); fosthietan (1196); furfural(alternative name) [CCN]; GY-81 (development code) (423); heterophos[CCN]; iodomethane (IUPAC-Name) (542); isamidofos (1230); isazofos(1231); ivermectin (alternative name) [CCN]; kinetin (alternative name)(210); mecarphon (1258); metam (519); metam-potassium (alternative name)(519); metam-sodium (519); methyl bromide (537); methyl isothiocyanate(543); milbemycin oxime (alternative name) [CCN]; moxidectin(alternative name) [CCN]; Myrothecium verrucaria composition(alternative name) (565); NC-184 (compound code); oxamyl (602); phorate(636); phosphamidon (639); phosphocarb [CCN]; sebufos (alternativename); selamectin (alternative name) [CCN]; spinosad (737); terbam(alternative name); terbufos (773); tetrachlorothiophene(IUPAC-/Chemical Abstracts-Name) (1422); thiafenox (alternative name);thionazin (1434); triazophos (820); triazuron (alternative name);xylenols [CCN]; YI-5302 (compound code); zeatin (alternative name)(210); potassium ethylxanthate [CCN]; nitrapyrin (580); acibenzolar (6);acibenzolar-5-methyl (6); probenazole (658); Reynoutria sachalinensisextract (alternative name) (720); 2-isovalerylindan-1,3-dione(IUPAC-Name) (1246); 4-(quinoxalin-2-ylamino)benzenesulfonamide(IUPAC-Name) (748); alpha-chlorohydrin [CCN]; aluminium phosphide (640);antu (880); arsenous oxide (882); barium carbonate (891); bisthiosemi(912); brodifacoum (89); bromadiolone (91); bromethalin (92); calciumcyanide (444); chloralose (127); chlorophacinone (140); cholecalciferol(alternative name) (850); coumachlor (1004); coumafuryl (1005);coumatetralyl (175); crimidine (1009); difenacoum (246); difethialone(249); diphacinone (273); ergocalciferol (301); flocoumafen (357);fluoroacetamide (379); flupropadine (1183); flupropadine hydrochloride(1183); gamma-HCH (430); HCH (430); hydrogen cyanide (444); iodomethane(IUPAC-Name) (542); lindane (430); magnesium phosphide (IUPAC-Name)(640); methyl bromide (537); norbormide (1318); phosacetim (1336);phosphine (IUPAC-Name) (640); phosphorus [CCN]; pindone (1341);potassium arsenite [CCN]; pyrinuron (1371); scilliroside (1390); sodiumarsenite [CCN]; sodium cyanide (444); sodium fluoroacetate (735);strychnine (745); thallium sulfate [CCN]; warfarin (851); zinc phosphide(640); 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl piperonylate (IUPAC-Name) (934);5-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-hexylcyclohex-2-enone (IUPAC-Name) (903);farnesol with nerolidol (alternative name) (324); MB-599 (developmentcode) (498); MGK 264 (development code) (296); piperonyl butoxide (649);piprotal (1343); propyl isome (1358); S421 (development code) (724);sesamex (1393); sesasmolin (1394); sulfoxide (1406); anthraquinone (32);chloralose (127); copper naphthenate [CCN]; copper oxychloride (171);diazinon (227); dicyclopentadiene (chemical name) (1069); guazatine(422); guazatine acetates (422); methiocarb (530); pyridin-4-amine(IUPAC-Name) (23); thiram (804); trimethacarb (840); zinc naphthenate[CCN]; ziram (856); imanin (alternative name) [CCN]; ribavirin(alternative name) [CCN]; mercuric oxide (512); octhilinone (590);thiophanate-methyl (802); a compound of formula F-1

a compound of formula F-2A

wherein R′ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl or C₁₋₄haloalkyl;a compound of formula F-3

a compound of formula F-4

a compound of formula F-5

a compound of formula F-6

a compound of formula F-7

and a compound of formula F-8

It has now been found, surprisingly, that the active ingredient mixtureaccording to the invention not only brings about the additiveenhancement of the spectrum of action with respect to the phytopathogento be controlled that was in principle to be expected but achieves asynergistic effect which extends the range of action of the component(A) and of the component (B) in two ways. Firstly, the rates ofapplication of the component (A) and of the component (B) are loweredwhilst the action remains equally good. Secondly, the active ingredientmixture still achieves a high degree of phytopathogen control even wherethe two individual components have become totally ineffective in such alow application rate range. This allows, on the one hand, a substantialbroadening of the spectrum of phytopathogens that can be controlled and,on the other hand, increased safety in use.

However, besides the actual synergistic action with respect tofungicidal activity, the pesticidal compositions according to theinvention also have further surprising advantageous properties which canalso be described, in a wider sense, as synergistic activity. Examplesof such advantageous properties that may be mentioned are: a broadeningof the spectrum of fungicidal activity to other phytopathogens, forexample to resistant strains; a reduction in the rate of application ofthe active ingredients; synergistic activity against animal pests, suchas insects or representatives of the order Acarina; a broadening of thespectrum of pesticidal activity to other animal pests, for example toresistant animal pests; adequate pest control with the aid of thecompositions according to the invention, even at a rate of applicationat which the individual compounds are totally ineffective; advantageousbehaviour during formulation and/or upon application, for example upongrinding, sieving, emulsifying, dissolving or dispensing; increasedstorage stability; improved stability to light; more advantageuosdegradability; improved toxicological and/or ecotoxicological behaviour;improved characteristics of the useful plants including: emergence, cropyields, more developed root system, tillering increase, increase inplant height, bigger leaf blade, less dead basal leaves, strongertillers, greener leaf color, less fertilizers nedded, less seeds needed,more productive tillers, earlier flowering, early grain maturity, lessplant verse (lodging), increased shoot growth, improved plant vigor, andearly germination; or any other advantages familiar to a person skilledin the art.

The compounds of formula I occur in different stereoisomeric forms,which are described in formulae I_(I), I_(II), I_(III) and I_(IV):

wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined under formula I. The invention coversall such stereoisomers and mixtures thereof in any ratio.

The compounds of formula I and their manufacturing processes startingfrom known and commercially available compounds are described in WO03/074491. In particular it is described in WO 03/074491 that a compoundof formula I

wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen can be prepared byreacting an acid chloride of formula II

with an amine of formula III

Acids of formula IV

are used for the production of the acid chlorides of formula II, viareaction steps as described in WO 03/074491. When producing the acids ofthe formula IV using said methology impurities of formula IVA, IVBand/or IVC may be formed:

When applying the described manufacturing processes for compounds offormula I some/all of those impurities may be carried through differentsteps of said manufacturing processes. This then can lead to theformation of the corresponding acid chlorides (IIA, IIB and/or IIC)

and to the formation of the corresponding amides (VA, VB and/or VC)

as further impurities of compounds of formula I, wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen. The presence/amount of saidimpurities in preparations of said compounds of formula I variesdependent on purification steps used.

WO 03/074491 describes on page 20 of the specification a process for themanufacture of amines of formula III

starting from known and commercially available compounds. A step in saidprocess is the reaction of a compound of formula VI

wherein X is halogen, with hydrazine hydrate in a solvent. During thisstep a compound of formula VII

wherein X is halogen, is formed. Preferred compounds of formula VII arecompounds, wherein X is chloride or bromide. Said preferred compounds offormula VII can be used advantageously for the production of amines offormula III using methods as described in WO 03/074491.

Using said processes described in WO 03/074491 for the manufacture ofthe amines of formula III, the following impurities of formula VIIIA,VIIIB, VIIIC and/or VIIID may be formed:

When applying the described manufacturing processes for compounds offormula I some/all of those impurities may be carried through differentsteps of said manufacturing processes. This then can lead to theformation of the corresponding amides (IXA, IXB, IXC, IXD, IXE, IXF,IXG, IXH, IXI, IXJ, IXK and/or IXL)

as further impurities of compounds of formula I, wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen. The presence/amount of saidimpurities in preparations of said compounds of formula I variesdependent on purification steps used.

The components (B) are known. Where the components (B) are included in“The Pesticide Manual” [The Pesticide Manual—A World Compendium;Thirteenth Edition; Editor: C. D. S. Tomlin; The British Crop ProtectionCouncil], they are described therein under the entry number given inround brackets hereinabove for the particular component (B); forexample, the compound “abamectin” is described under entry number (1).Where “[CCN]” is added hereinabove to the particular component (B), thecomponent (B) in question is included in the “Compendium of PesticideCommon Names”, which is accessible on the internet [A. Wood; Compendiumof Pesticide Common Names, Copyright© 1995-2004]; for example, thecompound “acetoprole” is described under the internet addresshttp://www.alanwood.net/pesticideslacetoprole.html.

Most of the components (B) are referred to hereinabove by a so-called“common name”, the relevant “ISO common name” or another “common name”being used in individual cases. If the designation is not a “commonname”, the nature of the designation used instead is given in roundbrackets for the particular component (B); in that case, the IUPAC name,the IUPAC/Chemical Abstracts name, a “chemical name”, a “traditionalname”, a “compound name” or a “development code” is used or, if neitherone of those designations nor a “common name” is used, an “alternativename” is employed.

The following components B) are registered under a CAS-Reg. No.:Aldimorph (CAS 91315-15-0); Iodocarb (3-Iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate)(CAS 55406-53-6); Fentin chloride (CAS 668-34-8); Hymexazole (CAS10004-44-1); Phosphoric acid (CAS 7664-38-2); Tecloftalam (CAS76280-91-6); Arsenates (CAS 1327-53-3); Copper Ammoniumcarbonate (CAS33113-08-5); Copper oleate (CAS 1120-44-1); Mercury (CAS 7487-94-7;21908-53-2; 7546-30-7); Benthiavalicarb (CAS 413615-35-7); Cadmiumchloride (CAS 10108-64-2); Cedar leaf oil (CAS 8007-20-3); Chlorine (CAS7782-50-5); Cinnamaldehyde (CAS: 104-55-2); Manganousdimethyldithiocarbamate (CAS 15339-36-3); Neem oil (hydrophobic extract)(CAS 8002-65-1); Paraformaldehyde (CAS 30525-89-4); Sodium bicarbonate(CAS 144-55-8); Potassium bicarbonate (CAS 298-14-6); Sodium diacetate(CAS 127-09-3); Sodium propionate (CAS 137-40-6); TCMTB (CAS21564-17-0); Benalaxyl-M (CAS 98243-83-5); Metrafenone (CAS220899-03-6); Penthiopyrad (CAS 183675-82-3) and Tolyfluanid (CAS731-27-1).

The compounds of formulae A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, A-6, A-7, A-8, A-9,A-10, A-11, A-12, A-13, A-14, A-15, A-18, A-19, A-20, A-21 and A-22 aredescribed in WO-03/015519. The compound of formula A-15A is described inEP-A-1 006 107. The compounds of formulae A-16, A-17, A-23, A-24, A-25and A-26 are described in WO-04/067528. Bacillus pumilus GB34 andBacillus pumilus strain QST are described at the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency, U.S. EPA PC Code 006493 and U.S. EPA PC Code 006485,respectively (see: http://www.epa.gov/).

The compound of formula F-1 is described in WO 01/87822. Compounds offormula F-2A and the compound of formula F-2 are described in WO98/46607. The compound of formula F-3 is described in WO 99/042447. Thecompound of formula F-4 is described in WO 96/19442. The compound offormula F-5 is described in WO 99/14187. The compound of formula F-6 isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,423 and WO 94/26722. The compound offormula F-7 is described in EP-0-936-213. The compound of formula F-8 isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,332, CN-1-167-568, CN-1-155-977 andEP-0-860-438.

Throughout this document the expression “combination” stands for thevarious combinations of components A) and B), for example in a single“ready-mix” form, in a combined spray mixture composed from separateformulations of the single active ingredient components, such as a“tank-mix”, and in a combined use of the single active ingredients whenapplied in a sequential manner, i.e. one after the other with areasonably short period, such as a few hours or days. The order ofapplying the components A) and B) is not essential for working thepresent invention.

The combinations according to the invention may also comprise more thanone of the active components B), if, for example, a broadening of thespectrum of phytopathogenic disease control is desired. For instance, itmay be advantageous in the agricultural practice to combine two or threecomponents B) with the any of the compounds of formula I, or with anypreferred member of the group of compounds of formula I.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a compound of the formula I,wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and one component B) asdescribed above.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a compound of the formula I,wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is methyl, and one component B) asdescribed above.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a compound of the formula I,wherein R₁ is trifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and one component B)as described above.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a compound of the formula I,wherein R₁ is trifluoromethyl and R₂ is methyl, and one component B) asdescribed above.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a compound of the formula Ia(trans)

which represents a compound of formula I_(I), wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen; a compound of formula I_(II), whereinR₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen or a mixture in any ratio of acompound of formula I_(I), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ ishydrogen, and a compound of formula I_(II), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyland R₂ is hydrogen; and one component B) as described above.

Among this embodiment of the invention preference is given to thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a racemic compound of theformula Ia (trans)

which represents a racemic mixture of a compound of formula I_(I),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and a compound offormula I_(II), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen; and onecomponent B) as described above.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is representedby those combinations which comprise as component A) a compound of theformula Ib (cis)

which represents a compound of formula I_(III), wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen; a compound of formula I_(IV), whereinR₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen or a mixture in any ratio of acompound of formula I_(III), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ ishydrogen, and a compound of formula I_(IV), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyland R₂ is hydrogen; and one component B) as described above.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is representedby those combinations which comprise as component A) a racemic compoundof the formula Ib (cis)

which represents a racemic mixture of a compound of formula I_(III),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and a compound offormula I_(IV), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen; and onecomponent B) as described above.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is representedby those combinations which comprise as component A) a racemic compoundof the formula Ic

wherein the ratio of racemic compounds of formula Ia, which represent aracemic mixture of compounds of formula I_(I), wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and compounds of formula I_(II),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, to racemic compounds offormula Ib, which represent a racemic mixture of compounds of formulaI_(III), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and compoundsof formula I_(IV), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, isfrom 1:1 to 100:1, and one component B) as described above.

Within said embodiment suitable ratios of racemic compounds of formulaIa, which represent a racemic mixture of compounds of formula I_(I),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and compounds offormula I_(II), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, toracemic compounds of formula Ib, which represent a racemic mixture ofcompounds of formula I_(III), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ ishydrogen, and compounds of formula I_(IV), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyland R₂ is hydrogen, are ratios such as 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1,7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 20:1, 50:1 or 100:1. Preference is given to ratiosfrom 2:1 to 100:1, more preferably 4:1 to 10:1.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is representedby those combinations which comprise as component A) a racemic compoundof the formula Ic

wherein the content of racemic compounds of formula Ia, which representa racemic mixture of compounds of formula I_(I), wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and compounds of formula I_(II),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, is from 65 to 99% byweight, and one component B) as described above.

According to the instant invention, a “racemic mixture” of twoenantiomers or a “racemic compound” means a mixture of two enantiomersin a ratio of substantially 50:50 of the two enantiomers.

Preferred components B) are selected from the group consisting ofAzoxystrobin; Benalaxyl; Benalaxyl-M; Bitertanol; Boscalid; Carboxin;Carpropamid; Chlorothalonil; Copper; Cyazofamid; Cymoxanil;Cyproconazole; Cyprodinil; Difenoconazole; Famoxadone; Fenamidone;Fenhexamide; Fenpiclonil; Fluazinam; Fludioxonil; Fluquinconazole;Fluoxastrobin; Flutolanil; Flutriafol; Guazatine; Hexaconazole;Hymexazole; Imazalil; Ipconazole; Iprodione; Mancozeb; Metalaxyl;Mefenoxam; Metconazole; Metrafenone; Nuarimol; Oxpoconazole;Paclobutrazol; Pencycuron; Penthiopyrad; Picoxystrobin; Prochloraz;Procymidone; Prothioconazole; Pyraclostrobin; Pyrimethanil; Pyroquilon;Silthiofam; Tebuconazole; Tetraconazole; Thiabendazole; Thiram;Triadimenol; Triazoxide; Trifloxystrobin; Triticonazole; Thiamethoxam;Tefluthrin; Abamectin; Propiconazole; Fenpropimorph; Fenpropidin; acompound of formula F-1

a compound of formula F-2

and Epoxiconazole.

More preferred components B) are selected from the group consisting ofAzoxystrobin; Picoxystrobin; Cyproconazole; Difenoconazole;Propiconazole; Fludioxonil; Cyprodinil; Fenpropimorph; Fenpropidin; acompound of formula F-1

a compound of formula F-2

Chlorothalonil; Epoxiconazole; Prothioconazole and Thiabendazole.

More preferred component B) is Azoxystrobin; Fludioxonil;Difenoconazole; Cyproconazole or Thiabendazole.

Most preferred component B) is Azoxystrobin; Fludioxonil orDifenoconazole.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a compound of the formula I,wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and one component B)selected from the group consisting of Azoxystrobin; Benalaxyl;Benalaxyl-M; Bitertanol; Boscalid; Carboxin; Carpropamid;Chlorothalonil; Copper; Cyazofamid; Cymoxanil; Cyproconazole;Cyprodinil; Difenoconazole; Famoxadone; Fenamidone; Fenhexamide;Fenpiclonil; Fluazinam; Fludioxonil; Fluquinconazole; Fluoxastrobin;Flutolanil; Flutriafol; Guazatine; Hexaconazole; Hymexazole; Imazalil;Ipconazole; Iprodione; Mancozeb; Metalaxyl; Mefenoxam; Metconazole;Metrafenone; Nuarimol; Oxpoconazole; Paclobutrazol; Pencycuron;Penthiopyrad; Picoxystrobin; Prochloraz; Procymidone; Prothioconazole;Pyraclostrobin; Pyrimethanil; Pyroquilon; Silthiofam; Tebuconazole;Tetraconazole; Thiabendazole; Thiram; Triadimenol; Triazoxide;Trifloxystrobin; Triticonazole; Thiamethoxam; Tefluthrin; Abamectin;Propiconazole; Fenpropimorph; Fenpropidin; a compound of formula F-1

a compound of formula F-2

and Epoxiconazole.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a compound of the formula I,wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is methyl, and one component B)selected from the group consisting of Azoxystrobin; Benalaxyl;Benalaxyl-M; Bitertanol; Boscalid; Carboxin; Carpropamid;Chlorothalonil; Copper; Cyazofamid; Cymoxanil; Cyproconazole;Cyprodinil; Difenoconazole; Famoxadone; Fenamidone; Fenhexamide;Fenpiclonil; Fluazinam; Fludioxonil; Fluquinconazole; Fluoxastrobin;Flutolanil; Flutriafol; Guazatine; Hexaconazole; Hymexazole; Imazalil;Ipconazole; Iprodione; Mancozeb; Metalaxyl; Mefenoxam; Metconazole;Metrafenone; Nuarimol; Oxpoconazole; Paclobutrazol; Pencycuron;Penthiopyrad; Picoxystrobin; Prochloraz; Procymidone; Prothioconazole;Pyraclostrobin; Pyrimethanil; Pyroquilon; Silthiofam; Tebuconazole;Tetraconazole; Thiabendazole; Thiram; Triadimenol; Triazoxide;Trifloxystrobin; Triticonazole; Thiamethoxam; Tefluthrin; Abamectin;Propiconazole; Fenpropimorph; Fenpropidin; a compound of formula F-1

a compound of formula F-2

and Epoxiconazole.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a compound of the formula I,wherein R₁ is trifluoromethyl and R₂ is methyl, and one component B)selected from the group consisting of Azoxystrobin; Benalaxyl;Benalaxyl-M; Bitertanol; Boscalid; Carboxin; Carpropamid;Chlorothalonil; Copper; Cyazofamid; Cymoxanil; Cyproconazole;Cyprodinil; Difenoconazole; Famoxadone; Fenamidone; Fenhexamide;Fenpiclonil; Fluazinam; Fludioxonil; Fluquinconazole; Fluoxastrobin;Flutolanil; Flutriafol; Guazatine; Hexaconazole; Hymexazole; Imazalil;Ipconazole; Iprodione; Mancozeb; Metalaxyl; Mefenoxam; Metconazole;Metrafenone; Nuarimol; Oxpoconazole; Paclobutrazol; Pencycuron;Penthiopyrad; Picoxystrobin; Prochloraz; Procymidone; Prothioconazole;Pyraclostrobin; Pyrimethanil; Pyroquilon; Silthiofam; Tebuconazole;Tetraconazole; Thiabendazole; Thiram; Triadimenol; Triazoxide;Trifloxystrobin; Triticonazole; Thiamethoxam; Tefluthrin; Abamectin;Propiconazole; Fenpropimorph; Fenpropidin; a compound of formula F-1

a compound of formula F-2

and Epoxiconazole.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a compound of the formula Ia(trans)

which represents a compound of formula I_(I), wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen; a compound of formula I_(II), whereinR₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen or a mixture in any ratio of acompound of formula I_(I), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ ishydrogen, and a compound of formula I_(II), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyland R₂ is hydrogen; and one component B) selected from the groupconsisting of Azoxystrobin; Benalaxyl; Benalaxyl-M; Bitertanol;Boscalid; Carboxin; Carpropamid; Chlorothalonil; Copper; Cyazofamid;Cymoxanil; Cyproconazole; Cyprodinil; Difenoconazole; Famoxadone;Fenamidone; Fenhexamide; Fenpiclonil; Fluazinam; Fludioxonil;Fluquinconazole; Fluoxastrobin; Flutolanil; Flutriafol; Guazatine;Hexaconazole; Hymexazole; Imazalil; Ipconazole; Iprodione; Mancozeb;Metalaxyl; Mefenoxam; Metconazole; Metrafenone; Nuarimol; Oxpoconazole;Paclobutrazol; Pencycuron; Penthiopyrad; Picoxystrobin; Prochloraz;Procymidone; Prothioconazole; Pyraclostrobin; Pyrimethanil; Pyroquilon;Silthiofam; Tebuconazole; Tetraconazole; Thiabendazole; Thiram;Triadimenol; Triazoxide; Trifloxystrobin; Triticonazole; Thiamethoxam;Tefluthrin; Abamectin; Propiconazole; Fenpropimorph; Fenpropidin; acompound of formula F-1

a compound of formula F-2

and Epoxiconazole.

Among this embodiment preference is given to those combinations whichcomprise as component A) a racemic compound of the formula Ia (trans)

which represents a racemic mixture of a compound of formula I_(I),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and a compound offormula I_(II), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen; and onecomponent B) selected from the group consisting of Azoxystrobin;Benalaxyl; Benalaxyl-M; Bitertanol; Boscalid; Carboxin; Carpropamid;Chlorothalonil; Copper; Cyazofamid; Cymoxanil; Cyproconazole;Cyprodinil; Difenoconazole; Famoxadone; Fenamidone; Fenhexamide;Fenpiclonil; Fluazinam; Fludioxonil; Fluquinconazole; Fluoxastrobin;Flutolanil; Flutriafol; Guazatine; Hexaconazole; Hymexazole; Imazalil;Ipconazole; Iprodione; Mancozeb; Metalaxyl; Mefenoxam; Metconazole;Metrafenone; Nuarimol; Oxpoconazole; Paclobutrazol; Pencycuron;Penthiopyrad; Picoxystrobin; Prochloraz; Procymidone; Prothioconazole;Pyraclostrobin; Pyrimethanil; Pyroquilon; Silthiofam; Tebuconazole;Tetraconazole; Thiabendazole; Thiram; Triadimenol; Triazoxide;Trifloxystrobin; Triticonazole; Thiamethoxam; Tefluthrin; Abamectin;Propiconazole; Fenpropimorph; Fenpropidin; a compound of formula F-1

a compound of formula F-2

and Epoxiconazole.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is representedby those combinations which comprise as component A) a compound of theformula Ib (cis)

which represents a compound of formula I_(III), wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen; a compound of formula I_(IV), whereinR₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen or a mixture in any ratio of acompound of formula I_(III), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ ishydrogen, and a compound of formula I_(IV), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyland R₂ is hydrogen; and one component B) selected from the groupconsisting of Azoxystrobin; Benalaxyl; Benalaxyl-M; Bitertanol;Boscalid; Carboxin; Carpropamid; Chlorothalonil; Copper; Cyazofamid;Cymoxanil; Cyproconazole; Cyprodinil; Difenoconazole; Famoxadone;Fenamidone; Fenhexamide; Fenpiclonil; Fluazinam; Fludioxonil;Fluquinconazole; Fluoxastrobin; Flutolanil; Flutriafol; Guazatine;Hexaconazole; Hymexazole; Imazalil; Ipconazole; Iprodione; Mancozeb;Metalaxyl; Mefenoxam; Metconazole; Metrafenone; Nuarimol; Oxpoconazole;Paclobutrazol; Pencycuron; Penthiopyrad; Picoxystrobin; Prochloraz;Procymidone; Prothioconazole; Pyraclostrobin; Pyrimethanil; Pyroquilon;Silthiofam; Tebuconazole; Tetraconazole; Thiabendazole; Thiram;Triadimenol; Triazoxide; Trifloxystrobin; Triticonazole; Thiamethoxam;Tefluthrin; Abamectin; Propiconazole; Fenpropimorph; Fenpropidin; acompound of formula F-1

a compound of formula F-2

and Epoxiconazole.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is representedby those combinations which comprise as component A) a racemic compoundof the formula Ib (cis)

which represents a racemic mixture of a compound of formula I_(III),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and a compound offormula I_(IV), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen; and onecomponent B) selected from the group consisting of Azoxystrobin;Benalaxyl; Benalaxyl-M; Bitertanol; Boscalid; Carboxin; Carpropamid;Chlorothalonil; Copper; Cyazofamid; Cymoxanil; Cyproconazole;Cyprodinil; Difenoconazole; Famoxadone; Fenamidone; Fenhexamide;Fenpiclonil; Fluazinam; Fludioxonil; Fluquinconazole; Fluoxastrobin;Flutolanil; Flutriafol; Guazatine; Hexaconazole; Hymexazole; Imazalil;Ipconazole; Iprodione; Mancozeb; Metalaxyl; Mefenoxam; Metconazole;Metrafenone; Nuarimol; Oxpoconazole; Paclobutrazol; Pencycuron;Penthiopyrad; Picoxystrobin; Prochloraz; Procymidone; Prothioconazole;Pyraclostrobin; Pyrimethanil; Pyroquilon; Silthiofam; Tebuconazole;Tetraconazole; Thiabendazole; Thiram; Triadimenol; Triazoxide;Trifloxystrobin; Triticonazole; Thiamethoxam; Tefluthrin; Abamectin;Propiconazole; Fenpropimorph; Fenpropidin; a compound of formula F-1

a compound of formula F-2

and Epoxiconazole.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is representedby those combinations which comprise as component A) a racemic compoundof the formula Ic

wherein the ratio of compounds of formula Ia, which represent a racemicmixture of compounds of formula I_(I), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl andR₂ is hydrogen, and compounds of formula I_(II), wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, to compounds of formula Ib, whichrepresent a racemic mixture of compounds of formula I_(III), wherein R₁is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and compounds of formula I_(IV),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, is from 2:1 to 100:1,and one component B) selected from the group consisting of Azoxystrobin;Benalaxyl; Benalaxyl-M; Bitertanol; Boscalid; Carboxin; Carpropamid;Chlorothalonil; Copper; Cyazofamid; Cymoxanil; Cyproconazole;Cyprodinil; Difenoconazole; Famoxadone; Fenamidone; Fenhexamide;Fenpiclonil; Fluazinam; Fludioxonil; Fluquinconazole; Fluoxastrobin;Flutolanil; Flutriafol; Guazatine; Hexaconazole; Hymexazole; Imazalil;Ipconazole; Iprodione; Mancozeb; Metalaxyl; Mefenoxam; Metconazole;Metrafenone; Nuarimol; Oxpoconazole; Paclobutrazol; Pencycuron;Penthiopyrad; Picoxystrobin; Prochloraz; Procymidone; Prothioconazole;Pyraclostrobin; Pyrimethanil; Pyroquilon; Silthiofam; Tebuconazole;Tetraconazole; Thiabendazole; Thiram; Triadimenol; Triazoxide;Trifloxystrobin; Triticonazole; Thiamethoxam; Tefluthrin; Abamectin;Propiconazole; Fenpropimorph; Fenpropidin; a compound of formula F-1

a compound of formula F-2

and Epoxiconazole.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is representedby those combinations which comprise as component A) a racemic compoundof the formula Ic

wherein the content of compounds of formula Ia, which represent aracemic mixture of compounds of formula I_(I), wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and compounds of formula I_(II),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, is from 65 to 99% byweight, and one component B) selected from the group consisting ofAzoxystrobin; Benalaxyl; Benalaxyl-M; Bitertanol; Boscalid; Carboxin;Carpropamid; Chlorothalonil; Copper; Cyazofamid; Cymoxanil;Cyproconazole; Cyprodinil; Difenoconazole; Famoxadone; Fenamidone;Fenhexamide; Fenpiclonil; Fluazinam; Fludioxonil; Fluquinconazole;Fluoxastrobin; Flutolanil; Flutriafol; Guazatine; Hexaconazole;Hymexazole; Imazalil; Ipconazole; Iprodione; Mancozeb; Metalaxyl;Mefenoxam; Metconazole; Metrafenone; Nuarimol; Oxpoconazole;Paclobutrazol; Pencycuron; Penthiopyrad; Picoxystrobin; Prochloraz;Procymidone; Prothioconazole; Pyraclostrobin; Pyrimethanil; Pyroquilon;Silthiofam; Tebuconazole; Tetraconazole; Thiabendazole; Thiram;Triadimenol; Triazoxide; Trifloxystrobin; Triticonazole; Thiamethoxam;Tefluthrin; Abamectin; Propiconazole; Fenpropimorph; Fenpropidin; acompound of formula F-1

a compound of formula F-2

and Epoxiconazole.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a compound of the formula I,wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and one component B)selected from the group consisting of Azoxystrobin; Fludioxonil;Difenoconazole; Cyproconazole or Thiabendazole.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a racemic compound of theformula Ia (trans)

which represents a racemic mixture of a compound of formula I_(I),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and a compound offormula I_(II), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen; and onecomponent B) selected from the group consisting of Azoxystrobin;Fludioxonil; Difenoconazole; Cyproconazole or Thiabendazole.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is representedby those combinations which comprise as component A) a racemic compoundof the formula Ic

wherein the ratio of compounds of formula Ia, which represent a racemicmixture of compounds of formula I_(I), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl andR₂ is hydrogen, and compounds of formula I_(II), wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, to compounds of formula Ib, whichrepresent a racemic mixture of compounds of formula I_(III), wherein R₁is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and compounds of formula I_(IV),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, is from 2:1 to 100:1,and one component B) selected from the group consisting of Azoxystrobin;Fludioxonil; Difenoconazole; Cyproconazole or Thiabendazole.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is representedby those combinations which comprise as component A) a racemic compoundof the formula Ic

wherein the content of compounds of formula Ia, which represent aracemic mixture of compounds of formula I_(I), wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and compounds of formula I_(II),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, is from 65 to 99% byweight, and one component B) selected from the group consisting ofAzoxystrobin; Fludioxonil; Difenoconazole; Cyproconazole orThiabendazole.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a compound of the formula I,wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and one component B)selected from the group consisting of Azoxystrobin; Difenoconazole andFludioxonil.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by thosecombinations which comprise as component A) a racemic compound of theformula Ia (trans)

which represents a racemic mixture of a compound of formula I_(I),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and a compound offormula I_(II), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen; and onecomponent B) selected from the group consisting of Azoxystrobin;Difenoconazole and Fludioxonil.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is representedby those combinations which comprise as component A) a racemic compoundof the formula Ic

wherein the ratio of compounds of formula Ia, which represent a racemicmixture of compounds of formula I_(I), wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl andR₂ is hydrogen, and compounds of formula I_(II), wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, to compounds of formula Ib, whichrepresent a racemic mixture of compounds of formula I_(III), wherein R₁is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and compounds of formula I_(IV),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, is from 2:1 to 100:1,and one component B) selected from the group consisting of Azoxystrobin;Difenoconazole and Fludioxonil.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is representedby those combinations which comprise as component A) a racemic compoundof the formula Ic

wherein the content of compounds of formula Ia, which represent aracemic mixture of compounds of formula I_(I), wherein R₁ isdifluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, and compounds of formula I_(II),wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, is from 65 to 99% byweight, and one component B) selected from the group consisting ofAzoxystrobin; Difenoconazole and Fludioxonil.

The active ingredient combinations are effective especially againstphytopathogenic fungi belonging to the following classes: Ascomycetes(e.g. Venturia, Podosphaera, Erysiphe, Monilinia, Mycosphaerella,Uncinula); Basidiomycetes (e.g. the genus Hemileia, Rhizoctonia,Puccinia, Ustilago, Tilletia); Fungi imperfecti (also known asDeuteromycetes; e.g. Botrytis, Helminthosporium, Rhynchosporium,Fusarium, Septoria, Cercospora, Alternaria, Pyricularia andPseudocercosporella herpotrichoides); Oomycetes (e.g. Phytophthora,Peronospora, Pseudoperonospora, Albugo, Bremia, Pythium,Pseudosclerospora, Plasmopara).

According to the invention “useful plants” typically comprise thefollowing species of plants: cereals, such as wheat, barley, rye oroats; beet, such as sugar beet or fodder beet; fruits, such as pomes,stone fruits or soft fruits, for example apples, pears, plums, peaches,almonds, cherries, strawberries, raspberries or blackberries; leguminousplants, such as beans, lentils, peas or soybeans; oil plants, such asrape, mustard, poppy, olives, sunflowers, coconut, castor oil plants,cocoa beans or groundnuts; cucumber plants, such as marrows, cucumbersor melons; fibre plants, such as cotton, flax, hemp or jute; citrusfruit, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit or mandarins; vegetables,such as spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions,tomatoes, potatoes, cucurbits or paprika; lauraceae, such as avocados,cinnamon or camphor; maize; tobacco; nuts; coffee; sugar cane; tea;vines; hops; durian; bananas; natural rubber plants; turf orornamentals, such as flowers, shrubs, broad-leaved trees or evergreens,for example conifers. This list does not represent any limitation.

The term “useful plants” is to be understood as including also usefulplants that have been rendered tolerant to herbicides like bromoxynil orclasses of herbicides (such as, for example, HPPD inhibitors, ALSinhibitors, for example primisulfuron, prosulfuron and trifloxysulfuron,EPSPS (5-enol-pyrovyl-shikimate-3-phosphate-synthase) inhibitors, GS(glutamine synthetase) inhibitors) as a result of conventional methodsof breeding or genetic engineering. An example of a crop that has beenrendered tolerant to imidazolinones, e.g. imazamox, by conventionalmethods of breeding (mutagenesis) is Clearfield® summer rape (Canola).Examples of crops that have been rendered tolerant to herbicides orclasses of herbicides by genetic engineering methods include glyphosate-and glufosinate-resistant maize varieties commercially available underthe trade names RoundupReady®, Herculex I® and LibertyLink®.

The term “useful plants” is to be understood as including also usefulplants which have been so transformed by the use of recombinant DNAtechniques that they are capable of synthesising one or more selectivelyacting toxins, such as are known, for example, from toxin-producingbacteria, especially those of the genus Bacillus.

Toxins that can be expressed by such transgenic plants include, forexample, insecticidal proteins, for example insecticidal proteins fromBacillus cereus or Bacillus popliae; or insecticidal proteins fromBacillus thuringiensis, such as δ-endotoxins, e.g. CryIA(b), CryIA(c),CryIF, CryIF(a2), CryIIA(b), CryIIIA, CryIIIB(b1) or Cry9c, orvegetative insecticidal proteins (VIP), e.g. VIP1, VIP2, VIP3 or VIP3A;or insecticidal proteins of bacteria colonising nematodes, for examplePhotorhabdus spp. or Xenorhabdus spp., such as Photorhabdus luminescens,Xenorhabdus nematophilus; toxins produced by animals, such as scorpiontoxins, arachnid toxins, wasp toxins and other insect-specificneurotoxins; toxins produced by fungi, such as Streptomycetes toxins,plant lectins, such as pea lectins, barley lectins or snowdrop lectins;agglutinins; proteinase inhibitors, such as trypsine inhibitors, serineprotease inhibitors, patatin, cystatin, papain inhibitors;ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIP), such as ricin, maize-RIP, abrin,luffin, saporin or bryodin; steroid metabolism enzymes, such as3-hydroxysteroidoxidase, ecdysteroid-UDP-glycosyl-transferase,cholesterol oxidases, ecdysone inhibitors, HMG-COA-reductase, ionchannel blockers, such as blockers of sodium or calcium channels,juvenile hormone esterase, diuretic hormone receptors, stilbenesynthase, bibenzyl synthase, chitinases and glucanases.

In the context of the present invention there are to be understood byδ-endotoxins, for example CryIA(b), CryIA(c), CryIF, CryIF(a2),CryIIA(b), CryIIIA, CryIIIB(b1) or Cry9c, or vegetative insecticidalproteins (VIP), for example VIP1, VIP2, VIP3 or VIP3A, expressly alsohybrid toxins, truncated toxins and modified toxins. Hybrid toxins areproduced recombinantly by a new combination of different domains ofthose proteins (see, for example, WO 02/15701). An example for atruncated toxin is a truncated CryIA(b), which is expressed in the Bt11maize from Syngenta Seed SAS, as described below. In the case ofmodified toxins, one or more amino acids of the naturally occurringtoxin are replaced. In such amino acid replacements, preferablynon-naturally present protease recognition sequences are inserted intothe toxin, such as, for example, in the case of CryIIIA055, acathepsin-D-recognition sequence is inserted into a CryIIIA toxin (seeWO 03/018810)

Examples of such toxins or transgenic plants capable of synthesisingsuch toxins are disclosed, for example, in EP-A-0 374 753, WO 93/07278,WO 95/34656, EP-A-0 427 529, EP-A-451 878 and WO 03/052073.

The processes for the preparation of such transgenic plants aregenerally known to the person skilled in the art and are described, forexample, in the publications mentioned above. CryI-type deoxyribonucleicacids and their preparation are known, for example, from WO 95/34656,EP-A-0 367 474, EP-A-0 401 979 and WO 90/13651.

The toxin contained in the transgenic plants imparts to the plantstolerance to harmful insects. Such insects can occur in any taxonomicgroup of insects, but are especially commonly found in the beetles(Coleoptera), two-winged insects (Diptera) and butterflies(Lepidoptera).

Transgenic plants containing one or more genes that code for aninsecticidal resistance and express one or more toxins are known andsome of them are commercially available. Examples of such plants are:YieldGard® (maize variety that expresses a CryIA(b) toxin); YieldGardRootworm® (maize variety that expresses a CryIIIB(b1) toxin); YieldGardPlus® (maize variety that expresses a CryIA(b) and a CryIIIB(b1) toxin);Starlink® (maize variety that expresses a Cry9(c) toxin); Herculex I®(maize variety that expresses a CryIF(a2) toxin and the enzymephosphinothricine N-acetyltransferase (PAT) to achieve tolerance to theherbicide glufosinate ammonium); NuCOTN 33B® (cotton variety thatexpresses a CryIA(c) toxin); Bollgard I® (cotton variety that expressesa CryIA(c) toxin); Bollgard II® (cotton variety that expresses aCryIA(c) and a CryIIA(b) toxin); VIPCOT® (cotton variety that expressesa VIP toxin); NewLeaf® (potato variety that expresses a CryIIIA toxin);NatureGard® and Protecta®.

Further examples of such transgenic crops are:

1. Bt11 Maize from Syngenta Seeds SAS, Chemin de l'Hobit 27, F-31 790St. Sauveur, France, registration number C/FR/96/05/10. Geneticallymodified Zea mays which has been rendered resistant to attack by theEuropean corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis and Sesamia nonagrioides) bytransgenic expression of a truncated CryIA(b) toxin. Bt11 maize alsotransgenically expresses the enzyme PAT to achieve tolerance to theherbicide glufosinate ammonium.2. Bt176 Maize from Syngenta Seeds SAS, Chemin de l'Hobit 27, F-31 790St. Sauveur, France, registration number C/FR/96/05/10. Geneticallymodified Zea mays which has been rendered resistant to attack by theEuropean corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis and Sesamia nonagrioides) bytransgenic expression of a CryIA(b) toxin. Bt176 maize alsotransgenically expresses the enzyme PAT to achieve tolerance to theherbicide glufosinate ammonium.3. MIR604Maize from Syngenta Seeds SAS, Chemin de l'Hobit 27, F-31 790St. Sauveur, France, registration number C/FR/96/05/10. Maize which hasbeen rendered insect-resistant by transgenic expression of a modifiedCryIIIA toxin. This toxin is Cry3A055 modified by insertion of acathepsin-D-protease recognition sequence. The preparation of suchtransgenic maize plants is described in WO 03/018810.4. MON 863 Maize from Monsanto Europe S.A. 270-272 Avenue de Tervuren,B-1150 Brussels, Belgium, registration number C/DE/02/9. MON 863expresses a CryIIIB(b1) toxin and has resistance to certain Coleopterainsects.5. IPC 531 Cotton from Monsanto Europe S.A. 270-272 Avenue de Tervuren,B-1150 Brussels, Belgium, registration number C/ES/96/02.6. 1507 Maize from Pioneer Overseas Corporation, Avenue Tedesco, 7B-1160 Brussels, Belgium, registration number C/NL/00/10. Geneticallymodified maize for the expression of the protein Cry1F for achievingresistance to certain Lepidoptera insects and of the PAT protein forachieving tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium.7. NK603×MON 810 Maize from Monsanto Europe S.A. 270-272 Avenue deTervuren, B-1150 Brussels, Belgium, registration number C/GB/02/M3/03.Consists of conventionally bred hybrid maize varieties by crossing thegenetically modified varieties NK603 and MON 810. NK603×MON 810 Maizetransgenically expresses the protein CP4 EPSPS, obtained fromAgrobacterium sp. strain CP4, which imparts tolerance to the herbicideRoundup® (contains glyphosate), and also a CryIA(b) toxin obtained fromBacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki which brings about tolerance tocertain Lepidoptera, include the European corn borer. Transgenic cropsof insect-resistant plants are also described in BATS (Zentrum fürBiosicherheit and Nachhaltigkeit, Zentrum BATS, Clarastrasse 13, 4058Basel, Switzerland) Report 2003, (http://bats.ch).

The term “useful plants” is to be understood as including also usefulplants which have been so transformed by the use of recombinant DNAtechniques that they are capable of synthesising antipathogenicsubstances having a selective action, such as, for example, theso-called “pathogenesis-related proteins” (PRPs, see e.g. EP-A-0 392225). Examples of such antipathogenic substances and transgenic plantscapable of synthesising such antipathogenic substances are known, forexample, from EP-A-0 392 225, WO 95/33818, and EP-A-0 353 191. Themethods of producing such transgenic plants are generally known to theperson skilled in the art and are described, for example, in thepublications mentioned above.

Antipathogenic substances which can be expressed by such transgenicplants include, for example, ion channel blockers, such as blockers forsodium and calcium channels, for example the viral KP1, KP4 or KP6toxins; stilbene synthases; bibenzyl synthases; chitinases; glucanases;the so-called “pathogenesis-related proteins” (PRPs; see e.g. EP-A-0 392225); antipathogenic substances produced by microorganisms, for examplepeptide antibiotics or heterocyclic antibiotics (see e.g. WO 95/33818)or protein or polypeptide factors involved in plant pathogen defence(so-called “plant disease resistance genes”, as described in WO03/000906).

Useful plants of elevated interest in connection with present inventionare cereals; maize; turf; vines and vegetables, such as tomatoes,potatoes, cucurbits and lettuce.

The term “locus” of a useful plant as used herein is intended to embracethe place on which the useful plants are growing, where the plantpropagation materials of the useful plants are sown or where the plantpropagation materials of the useful plants will be placed into the soil.An example for such a locus is a field, on which crop plants aregrowing.

The term “plant propagation material” is understood to denote generativeparts of the plant, such as seeds, which can be used for themultiplication of the latter, and vegetative material, such as cuttingsor tubers, for example potatoes. There may be mentioned for exampleseeds (in the strict sense), roots, fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes andparts of plants. Germinated plants and young plants which are to betransplanted after germination or after emergence from the soil, mayalso be mentioned. These young plants may be protected beforetransplantation by a total or partial treatment by immersion. Preferably“plant propagation material” is understood to denote seeds.

The combinations of the present invention may also be used in the fieldof protecting storage goods against attack of fungi. According to theinstant invention, the term “storage goods” is understood to denotenatural substances of vegetable and/or animal origin and their processedforms, which have been taken from the natural life cycle and for whichlong-term protection is desired. Storage goods of vegetable origin, suchas plants or parts thereof, for example stalks, leafs, tubers, seeds,fruits or grains, can be protected in the freshly harvested state or inprocessed form, such as pre-dried, moistened, comminuted, ground,pressed or roasted. Also falling under the definition of storage goodsis timber, whether in the form of crude timber, such as constructiontimber, electricity pylons and barriers, or in the form of finishedarticles, such as furniture or objects made from wood. Storage goods ofanimal origin are hides, leather, furs, hairs and the like. Thecombinations according the present invention can prevent disadvantageouseffects such as decay, discoloration or mold. Preferably “storage goods”is understood to denote natural substances of vegetable origin and theirprocessed forms, more preferably fruits and their processed forms, suchas pomes, stone fruits, soft fruits and citrus fruits and theirprocessed forms.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention “storage goods” isunderstood to denote wood.

Therefore a further aspect of the instant invention is a method ofprotecting natural substances of vegetable and/or animal origin and/ortheir processed forms, which have been taken from the natural lifecycle, which comprises applying to said natural substances of vegetableand/or animal origin or their processed forms a combination ofcomponents A) and B) in a synergistically effective amount.

A preferred embodiment is a method of protecting natural substances ofvegetable origin and/or their processed forms, which have been takenfrom the natural life cycle, which comprises applying to said naturalsubstances of vegetable origin or their processed forms a combination ofcomponents A) and B) in a synergistically effective amount.

A further preferred embodiment is a method of protecting fruits,preferably pomes, stone fruits, soft fruits and citrus fruits, and/ortheir processed forms, which have been taken from the natural lifecycle, which comprises applying to said natural substances of vegetableorigin or their processed forms a combination of components A) and B) ina synergistically effective amount.

The combinations of the present invention may also be used in the fieldof protecting technical material against attack of fungi. According tothe instant invention, the term “technical material” includes paper;carpets; constructions; cooling and heating systems; wall-boards;ventilation and air conditioning systems and the like. The combinationsaccording the present invention can prevent disadvantageous effects suchas decay, discoloration or mold. Preferably “storage goods” isunderstood to denote wall-boards.

The combinations according to the present invention are particularlyeffective against seedborne and soilborne diseases, such as Alternariaspp., Ascochyta spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Botrytiscinerea, Cercospora spp., Claviceps purpurea, Cochliobolus sativus,Colletotrichum spp., Diplodia maydis, Epicoccum spp., Fusarium culmorum,Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusariumproliferatum, Fusarium solani, Fusarium subglutinans, Gaumannomycesgraminis, Helminthosporium spp., Microdochium nivale, Phoma spp.,Pyrenophora graminea, Pyricularia oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani,Rhizoctonia cerealis, Sclerotinia spp., Septoria spp., Sphacelothecareilliana, Tilletia spp., Typhula incarnata, Urocystis occulta, Ustilagospp. or Verticillium spp.; in particular against pathogens of cereals,such as wheat, barley, rye or oats; maize; rice; cotton; soybean; turf;sugarbeet; oil seed rape; potatoes; pulse crops, such as peas, lentilsor chickpea; and sunflower. The combinations according to the presentinvention are furthermore particularly effective against rusts; powderymildews; leafspot species; early blights; molds and post harvestdiseases; especially against Puccinia in cereals; Phakopsora insoybeans; Hemileia in coffee; Phragmidium in roses; Alternaria inpotatoes, tomatoes and cucurbits; Sclerotinia in vegetables, sunflowerand oil seed rape; black rot, red fire, powdery mildew, grey mold anddead arm disease in vine; Botrytis cinerea in fruits; Monilinia spp. infruits and Penicillium spp. in fruits.

The amount of a combination of the invention to be applied, will dependon various factors, such as the compound employed; the subject of thetreatment, such as, for example plants, soil or seeds; the type oftreatment, such as, for example spraying, dusting or seed dressing; thepurpose of the treatment, such as, for example prophylactic ortherapeutic; the type of fungi to be controlled or the application time.

It has been found that the use of components B) in combination with thecompound of formula I surprisingly and substantially enhance theeffectiveness of the latter against fungi, and vice versa. Additionally,the method of the invention is effective against a wider spectrum ofsuch fungi that can be combated with the active ingredients of thismethod, when used solely.

The weight ratio of A):B) is so selected as to give a synergisticactivity. In general the weight ratio of A):B) is between 2000:1 and1:1000, preferably between 100:1 and 1:100.

The synergistic activity of the combination is apparent from the factthat the fungicidal activity of the composition of A)+B) is greater thanthe sum of the fungicidal activities of A) and B).

The method of the invention comprises applying to the useful plants, thelocus thereof or propagation material thereof in admixture orseparately, a synergistically effective aggregate amount of a compoundof formula I and a compound of component B).

Some of said combinations according to the invention have a systemicaction and can be used as foliar, soil and seed treatment fungicides.

The combinations of the present invention are of particular interest forcontrolling a large number of fungi in various useful plants or theirseeds, especially in field crops such as potatoes, tobacco andsugarbeets, and wheat, rye, barley, oats, rice, maize, lawns, cotton,soybeans, oil seed rape, pulse crops, sunflower, coffee, sugarcane,fruit and ornamentals in horticulture and viticulture, in vegetablessuch as cucumbers, beans and cucurbits.

The combinations according to the invention are applied by treating thefungi, the useful plants, the locus thereof, the propagation materialthereof, storage goods or technical materials threatened by fungusattack with a synergistically effective aggregate amount of a compoundof formula I and a compound of component B).

The combinations according to the invention may be applied before orafter infection of the useful plants, the propagation material thereof,storage goods or technical materials by the fungi.

The combinations according to the invention are particularly useful forcontrolling the following plant diseases:

Alternaria species in fruit and vegetables,

Ascochyta species in pulse crops,

Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) in strawberries, tomatoes, sunflower andgrapes,

Cercospora arachidicola in groundnuts,

Cochliobolus sativus in cereals,

Colletotrichum species in pulse crops,

Erysiphe cichoracearum and Sphaerotheca fuliginea in cucurbits,

Fusarium graminearum in cereals and maize,

Gäumannomyces graminis in cereals and lawns,

Helminthosporium maydis in maize,

Helminthosporium oryzae in rice,

Helminthosporium solani on potatoes,

Hemileia vastatrix on coffee,

Microdochium nivale in wheat and rye,

Phakopsora pachyrhizi in soybean,

Puccinia species in cereals,

Phragmidium mucronatum in roses,

Pyrenophora graminea in barley,

Pyricularia oryzae in rice,

Rhizoctonia species in cotton, soybean, cereals, maize, potatoes, riceand lawns,

Sclerotinia homeocarpa in lawns,

Sphacelotheca reilliana in maize,

Tilletia species in cereals,

Typhula incarnata in barley,

Uncinula necator, Guignardia bidwellii and Phomopsis viticola in vines,

Urocystis occulta in rye,

Ustilago species in cereals and maize,

Monilinia fructicola on stone fruits,

Monilinia fructigena on fruits,

Monilinia laxa on stone fruits,

Penicillium digitatum on citrus,

Penicillium expansum on apples, and

Penicillium italicum on citrus,

The combinations according to the invention are preventively and/orcuratively valuable active ingredients in the field of pest control,even at low rates of application, which have a very favorable biocidalspectrum and are well tolerated by warm-blooded species, fish andplants. The active ingredients according to the invention which arepartially known for their insecticidal action act against all orindividual developmental stages of normally sensitive, but alsoresistant, animal pests, such as insects or representatives of the orderAcarina. The insecticidal or acaricidal activity of the combinationsaccording to the invention can manifest itself directly, i.e. indestruction of the pests, which takes place either immediately or onlyafter some time has elapsed, for example during ecdysis, or indirectly,for example in a reduced oviposition and/or hatching rate, a goodactivity corresponding to a destruction rate (mortality) of at least 50to 60%.

Examples of the abovementioned animal pests are:

from the order Acarina, for example,

Acarus siro, Aceria sheldoni, Aculus schlechtendali, Amblyomma spp.,Argas spp., Boophilus spp., Brevipalpus spp., Bryobia praetiosa,Calipitrimerus spp., Chorioptes spp., Dermanyssus gallinae,Eotetranychus carpini, Eriophyes spp., Hyalomma spp., Ixodes spp.,Olygonychus pratensis, Ornithodoros spp., Panonychus spp.,Phyllocoptruta oleivora, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Psoroptes spp.,Rhipicephalus spp., Rhizoglyphus spp., Sarcoptes spp., Tarsonemus spp.and Tetranychus spp.;from the order Anoplura, for example,Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp., Pediculus spp., Pemphigus spp. andPhylloxera spp.;from the order Coleoptera, for example,Agriotes spp., Anthonomus spp., Atomaria linearis, Chaetocnema tibialis,Cosmopolites spp., Curculio spp., Dermestes spp., Diabrotica spp.,Epilachna spp., Eremnus spp., Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Lissorhoptrusspp., Melolontha spp., Orycaephilus spp., Otiorhynchus spp., Phlyctinusspp., Popillia spp., Psylliodes spp., Rhizopertha spp., Scarabeidae,Sitophilus spp., Sitotroga spp., Tenebrio spp., Tribolium spp. andTrogoderma spp.;from the order Diptera, for example,Aedes spp., Antherigona soccata, Bibio hortulanus, Calliphoraerythrocephala, Ceratitis spp., Chrysomyia spp., Culex spp., Cuterebraspp., Dacus spp., Drosophila melanogaster, Fannia spp., Gastrophilusspp., Glossina spp., Hypoderma spp., Hyppobosca spp., Liriomyza spp.,Lucilia spp., Melanagromyza spp., Musca spp., Oestrus spp., Orseoliaspp., Oscinella frit, Pegomyia hyoscyami, Phorbia spp., Rhagoletispomonella, Sciara spp., Stomoxys spp., Tabanus spp., Tannia spp. andTipula spp.;from the order Heteroptera, for example,Cimex spp., Distantiella theobroma, Dysdercus spp., Euchistus spp.,Eurygaster spp., Leptocorisa spp., Nezara spp., Piesma spp., Rhodniusspp., Sahlbergella singularis, Scotinophara spp. and Triatoma spp.;from the order Homoptera, for example,Aleurothrixus floccosus, Aleyrodes brassicae, Aonidiella spp.,Aphididae, Aphis spp., Aspidiotus spp., Bemisia tabaci, Ceroplasterspp., Chrysomphalus aonidium, Chrysomphalus dictyospermi, Coccushesperidum, Empoasca spp., Eriosoma larigerum, Erythroneura spp.,Gascardia spp., Laodelphax spp., Lecanium corni, Lepidosaphes spp.,Macrosiphus spp., Myzus spp., Nephotettix spp., Nilaparvata spp.,Parlatoria spp., Pemphigus spp., Planococcus spp., Pseudaulacaspis spp.,Pseudococcus spp., Psylla spp., Pulvinaria aethiopica, Quadraspidiotusspp., Rhopalosiphum spp., Saissetia spp., Scaphoideus spp., Schizaphisspp., Sitobion spp., Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Trioza erytreae andUnaspis citri;from the order Hymenoptera, for example,Acromyrmex, Atta spp., Cephus spp., Diprion spp., Diprionidae, Gilpiniapolytoma, Hoplocampa spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium pharaonis, Neodiprionspp., Solenopsis spp. and Vespa spp.;from the order Isoptera, for example,Reticulitermes spp.;from the order Lepidoptera, for example,Acleris spp., Adoxophyes spp., Aegeria spp., Agrotis spp., Alabamaargillaceae, Amylois spp., Anticarsia gemmatalis, Archips spp.,Argyrotaenia spp., Autographa spp., Busseola fusca, Cadra cautella,Carposina nipponensis, Chilo spp., Choristoneura spp., Clysiaambiguella, Cnaphalocrocis spp., Cnephasia spp., Cochylis spp.,Coleophora spp., Crocidolomia binotalis, Cryptophlebia leucotreta, Cydiaspp., Diatraea spp., Diparopsis castanea, Earias spp., Ephestia spp.,Eucosma spp., Eupoecilia ambiguella, Euproctis spp., Euxoa spp.,Grapholita spp., Hedya nubiferana, Heliothis spp., Hellula undalis,Hyphantria cunea, Keiferia lycopersicella, Leucoptera scitella,Lithocollethis spp., Lobesia botrana, Lymantria spp., Lyonetia spp.,Malacosoma spp., Mamestra brassicae, Manduca sexta, Operophtera spp.,Ostrinia nubilalis, Pammene spp., Pandemis spp., Panolis flammea,Pectinophora gossypiela, Phthorimaea operculella, Pieris rapae, Pierisspp., Plutella xylostella, Prays spp., Scirpophaga spp., Sesamia spp.,Sparganothis spp., Spodoptera spp., Synanthedon spp., Thaumetopoea spp.,Tortrix spp., Trichoplusia ni and Yponomeuta spp.;from the order Mallophaga, for example,Damalinea spp. and Trichodectes spp.;from the order Orthoptera, for example,Blatta spp., Blattella spp., Gryllotalpa spp., Leucophaea maderae,Locusta spp., Periplaneta spp. and Schistocerca spp.;from the order Psocoptera, for example,Liposcelis spp.;from the order Siphonaptera, for example,Ceratophyllus spp., Ctenocephalides spp. and Xenopsylla cheopis;from the order Thysanoptera, for example,Frankliniella spp., Hercinothrips spp., Scirtothrips aurantii,Taeniothrips spp., Thrips palmi and Thrips tabaci;from the order Thysanura, for example,Lepisma saccharina;nematodes, for example root knot nematodes, stem eelworms and foliarnematodes; especially Heterodera spp., for example Heterodera schachtii,Heterodora avenae and Heterodora trifolii; Globodera spp., for exampleGlobodera rostochiensis; Meloidogyne spp., for example Meloidogyneincoginita and Meloidogyne javanica; Radopholus spp., for exampleRadopholus similis; Pratylenchus, for example Pratylenchus neglectansand Pratylenchus penetrans; Tylenchulus, for example Tylenchulussemipenetrans; Longidorus, Trichodorus, Xiphinema, Ditylenchus,Aphelenchoides and Anguina;crucifer flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.);root maggots (Delia spp.) andcabbage seedpod weevil (Ceutorhynchus spp.).

The combinations according to the invention can be used for controlling,i.e. containing or destroying, animal pests of the abovementioned typewhich occur on useful plants in agriculture, in horticulture and inforests, or on organs of useful plants, such as fruits, flowers,foliage, stalks, tubers or roots, and in some cases even on organs ofuseful plants which are formed at a later point in time remain protectedagainst these animal pests.

When applied to the useful plants the compound of formula I is appliedat a rate of 5 to 2000 g a.i./ha, particularly 10 to 1000 g a.i./ha,e.g. 50, 75, 100 or 200 g a.i./ha, in association with 1 to 5000 ga.i./ha, particularly 2 to 2000 g a.i./ha, e.g. 100, 250, 500, 800,1000, 1500 g a.i./ha of a compound of component B), depending on theclass of chemical employed as component B).

In agricultural practice the application rates of the combinationaccording to the invention depend on the type of effect desired, andtypically range from 20 to 4000 g of total combination per hectare.

When the combinations of the present invention are used for treatingseed, rates of 0.001 to 50 g of a compound of formula I per kg of seed,preferably from 0.01 to 10 g per kg of seed, and 0.001 to 50 g of acompound of component B), per kg of seed, preferably from 0.01 to 10 gper kg of seed, are generally sufficient.

The invention also provides fungicidal compositions comprising acompound of formula I and a compound of component B) in asynergistically effective amount.

The composition of the invention may be employed in any conventionalform, for example in the form of a twin pack, a powder for dry seedtreatment (DS), an emulsion for seed treatment (ES), a flowableconcentrate for seed treatment (FS), a solution for seed treatment (LS),a water dispersible powder for seed treatment (WS), a capsule suspensionfor seed treatment (CF), a gel for seed treatment (GF), an emulsionconcentrate (EC), a suspension concentrate (SC), a suspo-emulsion (SE),a capsule suspension (CS), a water dispersible granule (WG), anemulsifiable granule (EG), an emulsion, water in oil (EO), an emulsion,oil in water (EW), a micro-emulsion (ME), an oil dispersion (OD), an oilmiscible flowable (OF), an oil miscible liquid (OL), a solubleconcentrate (SL), an ultra-low volume suspension (SU), an ultra-lowvolume liquid (UL), a technical concentrate (TK), a dispersibleconcentrate (DC), a wettable powder (WP) or any technically feasibleformulation in combination with agriculturally acceptable adjuvants.

Such compositions may be produced in conventional manner, e.g. by mixingthe active ingredients with appropriate formulation inerts (diluents,solvents, fillers and optionally other formulating ingredients such assurfactants, biocides, anti-freeze, stickers, thickeners and compoundsthat provide adjuvancy effects). Also conventional slow releaseformulations may be employed where long lasting efficacy is intended.Particularly formulations to be applied in spraying forms, such as waterdispersible concentrates (e.g. EC, SC, DC, OD, SE, EW, EO and the like),wettable powders and granules, may contain surfactants such as wettingand dispersing agents and other compounds that provide adjuvancyeffects, e.g. the condensation product of formaldehyde with naphthalenesulphonate, an alkylarylsulphonate, a lignin sulphonate, a fatty alkylsulphate, and ethoxylated alkylphenol and an ethoxylated fatty alcohol.

A seed dressing formulation is applied in a manner known per se to theseeds employing the combination of the invention and a diluent insuitable seed dressing formulation form, e.g. as an aqueous suspensionor in a dry powder form having good adherence to the seeds. Such seeddressing formulations are known in the art. Seed dressing formulationsmay contain the single active ingredients or the combination of activeingredients in encapsulated form, e.g. as slow release capsules ormicrocapsules.

In general, the formulations include from 0.01 to 90% by weight ofactive agent, from 0 to 20% agriculturally acceptable surfactant and 10to 99.99% solid or liquid formulation inerts and adjuvant(s), the activeagent consisting of at least the compound of formula I together with acompound of component B), and optionally other active agents,particularly microbiocides or conservatives or the like. Concentratedforms of compositions generally contain in between about 2 and 80%,preferably between about 5 and 70% by weight of active agent.Application forms of formulation may for example contain from 0.01 to20% by weight, preferably from 0.01 to 5% by weight of active agent.Whereas commercial products will preferably be formulated asconcentrates, the end user will normally employ diluted formulations.

The Examples which follow serve to illustrate the invention, “activeingredient” denoting a mixture of compound I and a compound of componentB) in a specific mixing ratio.

FORMULATION EXAMPLES Wettable Powders

a) b) c) active ingredient [I:comp B) = 1:3(a), 1:2(b), 1:1(c)] 25%  50%75% sodium lignosulfonate 5%  5% — sodium lauryl sulfate 3% —  5% sodiumdiisobutylnaphthalenesulfonate —  6% 10% phenol polyethylene glycolether —  2% — (7-8 mol of ethylene oxide) highly dispersed silicic acid5% 10% 10% Kaolin 62%  27% —

The active ingredient is thoroughly mixed with the adjuvants and themixture is thoroughly ground in a suitable mill, affording wettablepowders that can be diluted with water to give suspensions of thedesired concentration.

Powders for Dry Seed Treatment

a) b) c) active ingredient [I:comp B) = 1:3(a), 1:2(b), 1:1(c)] 25% 50%75% light mineral oil 5% 5%  5% highly dispersed silicic acid 5% 5% —Kaolin 65% 40% — Talcum — 20

The active ingredient is thoroughly mixed with the adjuvants and themixture is thoroughly ground in a suitable mill, affording powders thatcan be used directly for seed treatment.

Emulsifiable Concentrate

active ingredient (I:comp B) = 1:6) 10% octylphenol polyethylene glycolether 3% (4-5 mol of ethylene oxide) calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 3%castor oil polyglycol ether (35 mol of ethylene oxide) 4% Cyclohexanone30% xylene mixture 50%

Emulsions of any required dilution, which can be used in plantprotection, can be obtained from this concentrate by dilution withwater.

Dusts

a) b) c) Active ingredient [I:comp B) = 1:6(a), 1:2(b),  5%  6%  4%1:10(c)] talcum 95% — — Kaolin — 94% — mineral filler — — 96%

Ready-for-use dusts are obtained by mixing the active ingredient withthe carrier and grinding the mixture in a suitable mill. Such powderscan also be used for dry dressings for seed.

Extruder Granules

Active ingredient (I:comp B) = 2:1) 15% sodium lignosulfonate 2%carboxymethylcellulose 1% Kaolin 82%

The active ingredient is mixed and ground with the adjuvants, and themixture is moistened with water. The mixture is extruded and then driedin a stream of air.

Coated Granules

Active ingredient (I:comp B) = 1:10) 8% polyethylene glycol (mol. wt.200) 3% Kaolin 89%

The finely ground active ingredient is uniformly applied, in a mixer, tothe kaolin moistened with polyethylene glycol. Non-dusty coated granulesare obtained in this manner.

Suspension Concentrate

active ingredient (I:comp B) = 1:8) 40% propylene glycol 10% nonylphenolpolyethylene glycol ether (15 mol of ethylene oxide) 6% Sodiumlignosulfonate 10% carboxymethylcellulose 1% silicone oil (in the formof a 75% emulsion in water) 1% Water 32%

The finely ground active ingredient is intimately mixed with theadjuvants, giving a suspension concentrate from which suspensions of anydesired dilution can be obtained by dilution with water. Using suchdilutions, living plants as well as plant propagation material can betreated and protected against infestation by microorganisms, byspraying, pouring or immersion.

Flowable Concentrate for Seed Treatment

active ingredient (I:comp B) = 1:8)  40% propylene glycol   5% copolymerbutanol PO/EO   2% tristyrenephenole with 10-20 moles EO   2%1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one (in the form of a 20% solution in 0.5% water)monoazo-pigment calcium salt   5% Silicone oil (in the form of a 75%emulsion in water) 0.2% Water 45.3% 

The finely ground active ingredient is intimately mixed with theadjuvants, giving a suspension concentrate from which suspensions of anydesired dilution can be obtained by dilution with water. Using suchdilutions, living plants as well as plant propagation material can betreated and protected against infestation by microorganisms, byspraying, pouring or immersion.

Slow Release Capsule Suspension

28 parts of a combination of the compound of formula I and a compound ofcomponent B), or of each of these compounds separately, are mixed with 2parts of an aromatic solvent and 7 parts of toluenediisocyanate/polymethylene-polyphenylisocyanate-mixture (8:1). Thismixture is emulsified in a mixture of 1.2 parts of polyvinylalcohol,0.05 parts of a defoamer and 51.6 parts of water until the desiredparticle size is achieved. To this emulsion a mixture of 2.8 parts1,6-diaminohexane in 5.3 parts of water is added. The mixture isagitated until the polymerization reaction is completed.

The obtained capsule suspension is stabilized by adding 0.25 parts of athickener and 3 parts of a dispersing agent. The capsule suspensionformulation contains 28% of the active ingredients.

The medium capsule diameter is 8-15 microns.

The resulting formulation is applied to seeds as an aqueous suspensionin an apparatus suitable for that purpose.

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES

A synergistic effect exists whenever the action of an active ingredientcombination is greater than the sum of the actions of the individualcomponents.

The action to be expected E for a given active ingredient combinationobeys the so-called COLBY formula and can be calculated as follows(COLBY, S. R. “Calculating synergistic and antagonistic responses ofherbicide combination”. Weeds, Vol. 15, pages 20-22; 1967):

ppm=milligrams of active ingredient (=a.i.) per liter of spray mixture

X=% action by active ingredient A) using p ppm of active ingredient

Y=% action by active ingredient B) using q ppm of active ingredient.

According to COLBY, the expected (additive) action of active ingredientsA)+B) using p+q ppm of active ingredient is

$E = {X + Y - \frac{X \cdot Y}{100}}$

If the action actually observed (O) is greater than the expected action(E), then the action of the combination is super-additive, i.e. there isa synergistic effect. In mathematical terms the synergism factor SFcorresponds to O/E. In the agricultural practice an SF of ≧1.2 indicatessignificant improvement over the purely complementary addition ofactivities (expected activity), while an SF of ≦0.9 in the practicalapplication routine signals a loss of activity compared to the expectedactivity.

Example B-1 Activity Against Ustilago nuda on Barley

a) Seed Application

After application of the formulated seed treatment onto U. nuda-infectedseeds of winterbarley the seeds are sown in trays filled with fieldsoil. The trays are transferred to a growth room and kept there for 2days at 20° C. and then for 2 weeks at 2° C. After this period the trialis transferred to a greenhouse where a temperature of 15° C. and a 14 hrlight period is provided until flowering. The following assessments aremade: number of infected heads. The fungicide interactions in thecombinations are calculated according to COLBY method.

b) Fungal Growth Assay

Conidia of the fungus from cryogenic storage were directly mixed intonutrient broth (PDB potato dextrose broth). After placing a (DMSO)solution of the test compounds into a microtiter plate (96-well format)the nutrient broth containing the fungal spores was added. The testplates were incubated at 24° C. and the inhibition of growth wasdetermined photometrically after 48 hrs. The fungicide interactions inthe combinations are calculated according to COLBY method.

Control of Ustilago nuda Dosage in mg active ingredient/ liter finalmedium ppm) Synergy Racemic Fludioxonil/ Expected Observed Factor Cpd inppm cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in % control in % SF = Fludioxonil inppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/% C_(exp) 0.022 — — —21 — 0.007 — — — 0 — 0.002 — — — 0 — — 0.007 — — 15 — — 0.002 — — 0 —0.0001 — — 5 — 0.022/0.007 33 43 1.3 0.022/0.002 21 25 1.2 0.007/0.00715 30 2.0  0.002/0.0001 5 6 1.2 Dosage in mg active ingredient/ literfinal medium ppm) Synergy Cpd in ppm Racemic Difenoconazole/ ExpectedObserved Factor Difeno- cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in % control in %SF = conazole in ppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/%C_(exp) 0.002 — — — 2 — — 0.0003 — — 0 —  0.002/0.0003 2 6 3.0

Example B-2 Activity Against Microdochium nivale on Wheat

a) Seed Application

After application of the formulated seed treatment onto M.nivale-infected seeds of winterwheat the seeds are sown in trays filledwith planting soil. The trial is kept for 4 weeks in a growth room at 4°C. and darkness. Then the temperature is increased to 15° C. and a 12 hrlight period is provided. After development of the primary leaf plantsare kept at 10° C. and high humidity until the trial is finished. Thefollowing assessments are made: number of infected plants. The fungicideinteractions in the combinations are calculated according to COLBYmethod.

b) Fungal Growth Assay

Conidia of the fungus from cryogenic storage were directly mixed intonutrient broth (PDB potato dextrose broth). After placing a (DMSO)solution of the test compounds into a microtiter plate (96-well format)the nutrient broth containing the fungal spores was added. The testplates were incubated at 24° C. and the inhibition of growth wasmeasured photometrically after 72 hrs. The fungicide interactions in thecombinations are calculated according to COLBY method.

Control of Microdochium nivale Dosage in mg active ingredient/ literfinal medium ppm) Synergy Racemic Fludioxonil/ Expected Observed FactorCpd in ppm cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in % control in % SF =Fludioxonil in ppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/%C_(exp) 0.067 — — — 3 — 0.022 — — — 0 — 0.007 — — — 0 — 0.002 — — — 0 —— 0.067 — — 0 — — 0.022 — — 0 — — 0.007 — — 2 — — 0.002 — — 0 — — 0.0008— — 0 — — 0.0003 — — 0 — 0.067/0.067 3 6 2.0 0.067/0.022 3 8 2.70.067/0.007 5 7 1.4 0.022/0.007 2 6 3.0 0.002/0.007 2 6 3.0 Dosage in mgactive ingredient/ liter final medium ppm) Synergy Cpd in ppm RacemicDifenoconazole/ Expected Observed Factor Difeno- cpd Ia Racemic cpd Iacontrol in % control in % SF = conazole in ppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (%C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/% C_(exp) 0.6  — — — 13 — 0.2  — — — 1 — 0.007 — — —4 — — 0.067 — — 4 — — 0.022 — — 11 — — 0.0025 — — 1 — — 0.0003 — — 0 — 0.6/0.067 16 21 1.3  0.2/0.067 5 9 1.8  0.2/0.0003 1 2 2.0 0.007/0.00255 9 1.8 0.007/0.0003 4 5 1.3 Dosage in mg active ingredient/ liter finalmedium ppm) Synergy Cpd in ppm Racemic Cyproconazole/ Expected ObservedFactor Cypro- cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in % control in % SF =conazole in ppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/% C_(exp)1.8  — — — 9 — 0.6  — — — 0 — 0.2  — — — 0 — — 0.067 — — 2 — — 0.022 — —0 — — 0.0074 — — 0 — — 0.0025 — — 0 —  1.8/0.067 11 18 1.7  1.8/0.022 913 1.5  1.8/0.0074 9 14 1.6  0.6/0.067 2 5 2.5  0.6/0.0074 0 6 >100 0.2/0.022 0 7 >100  0.2/0.0025 0 3 >100

Example B-3 Activity Against Pyrenophora graminea on Barley

a) Seed Application

After application of the formulated seed treatment onto P.graminea-infected seeds of winterbarley the seeds are sown in traysfilled with field soil. The trays are kept in a growth room for 3 weeksat 4° C. After this period the trial is transferred to a greenhousewhere a temperature of 12° C. and a 14 hr light period is provided. Thefollowing assessments are made: number of infected plants. The fungicideinteractions in the combinations are calculated according to COLBYmethod.

b) Fungal Growth Assay

Conidia of the fungus from cryogenic storage were directly mixed intonutrient broth (PDB potato dextrose broth). After placing a (DMSO)solution of the test compounds into a microtiter plate (96-well format)the nutrient broth containing the fungal spores was added. The testplates were incubated at 24° C. and the inhibition of growth wasmeasured photometrically after 72 hrs. The fungicide interactions in thecombinations are calculated according to COLBY method.

Control of Pyrenophora graminea Dosage in mg active ingredient/ literfinal medium ppm) Synergy Racemic Fludioxonil/ Expected Observed FactorCpd in ppm cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in % control in % SF =Fludioxonil in ppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/%C_(exp) 0.002 — — — 7 — — 1.8 — — 11 — — 0.2 — — 1 — — 0.002 — — 0 — —0.0003 — — 1 — 0.002/1.8   16 28 1.7 0.002/0.2   8 16 2.0 0.002/0.002  715 2.1 0.002/0.0003 7 13 1.8 Dosage in mg active ingredient/ liter finalmedium ppm) Synergy Cpd in ppm Racemic Difenoconazole/ Expected ObservedFactor Difeno- cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in % control in % SF =conazole in ppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/% C_(exp)0.2  — — — 51 — 0.067 — — — 23 — 0.022 — — — 15 — 0.007 — — — 0 — — 1.8— — 1 — — 0.2 — — 5 — — 0.067 — — 1 — — 0.0074 — — 4 — 0.2/1.8  52 641.2 0.067/1.8   24 38 1.6 0.022/1.8   16 26 1.6 0.007/1.8   2 24 12.0 0.007/0.2   5 16 3.2 0.007/0.067  1 11 11.0  0.007/0.0074 4 17 4.2Dosage in mg active ingredient/ liter final medium ppm) Synergy Cpd inppm Racemic Cyproconazole/ Expected Observed Factor Cypro- cpd IaRacemic cpd Ia control in % control in % SF = conazole in ppm in ppm/ppm(% C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/% C_(exp) 0.6  — — — 28 — 0.2  — — —19 — 0.022 — — — 4 — — 1.8 — — 6 — — 0.022 — — 0 — — 0.0003 — — 1 —0.6/1.8  33 39 1.2  0.6/0.0003 29 36 1.2  0.2/0.0003 20 30 1.50.022/1.8   10 16 1.6 0.022/0.022  4 5 1.3 Dosage in mg activeingredient/ liter final medium ppm) Synergy Racemic Thiabendazole/Expected Observed Factor Cpd in ppm cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in %control in % SF = Thiabendazole in ppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (%C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/% C_(exp)  0.0223 — — — 0 —  0.0025 — — — 0 — — 0.2 —— 48 — — 0.0667 — — 20 — — 0.0008 — — 6 — 0.0223/0.2   49 61 1.20.0025/0.2   48 63 1.3 0.0025/0.0667  20 27 1.4 0.0025/0.0008  6 8 1.3

Example B-4 Activity Against Gäumannomyces graminis on Wheat

a) Seed Application

After application of the formulated seed treatment onto seeds ofwinterwheat the seeds are sown in trays filled with field soil. Thefield soil has been inoculated artificially before sowing withGäumannomyces graminis by thoroughly mixing mycelium and soil. The trialis kept in a growth room for 5 weeks at 17° C. and a 14 hr light period.The following assessments are made: disease severity on roots ofinfected plants. The fungicide interactions in the combinations arecalculated according to COLBY method.

b) Fungal Growth Assay

Mycelial fragments of a newly grown culture of the fungus, were directlymixed into nutrient broth (PDB potato dextrose broth). After placing a(DMSO) solution of the test compounds into a microtiter plate (96-wellformat) the nutrient broth containing the fungal spores was added. Thetest plates were incubated at 24° C. and the inhibition of growth wasmeasured photometrically after 72 hrs. The fungicide interactions in thecombinations are calculated according to COLBY method.

Control of Gäumannomyces graminis Dosage in mg active ingredient/ literfinal medium ppm) Synergy Racemic Azoxystrobin/ Expected Observed FactorCpd in ppm cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in % control in % SF =Azoxystrobin in ppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/%C_(exp) 0.002 — — — 11 — — 0.2 — — 0 — — 0.007 — — 0 — — 0.002 — — 2 — —0.0008 — — 0 — — 0.0003 — — 0 — 0.002/0.2   11 21 1.9 0.002/0.007  11 191.7 0.002/0.002  13 18 1.4 0.002/0.0008 11 18 1.6 0.002/0.0003 11 15 1.3

Example B-5 Activity Against Rhizoctonia solani

a) Seed Application

After application of the formulated seed treatment onto seeds of cottonthe seeds are sown in trays filled with soil. The soil has beeninoculated artificially before sowing with Rhizoctonia solani bythoroughly mixing mycelium and soil. The trial is kept in a growthroomfor 2 weeks at 19° C. and then is transferred to a greenhouse at 23° C.A 14 hr light period is provided from the onset of germination. Thefollowing assessments are made: number of infected plants. The fungicideinteractions in the combinations are calculated according to COLBYmethod.

b) Fungal Growth Assay

Mycelial fragments of the fungus from cryogenic storage were directlymixed into nutrient broth (PDB potato dextrose broth). After placing a(DMSO) solution of the test compounds into a microtiter plate (96-wellformat) the nutrient broth containing the fungal spores was added. Thetest plates were incubated at 24° C. and the inhibition of growth wasdetermined photometrically after 48 hrs. The fungicide interactions inthe combinations are calculated according to COLBY method.

Control of Rhizoctonia solani Dosage in mg active ingredient/ literfinal medium ppm) Synergy Racemic Fludioxonil/ Expected Observed FactorCpd in ppm cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in % control in % SF =Fludioxonil in ppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/%C_(exp) 0.067 — — — 0 — 0.022 — — — 0 — 0.007 — — — 6 — 0.002 — — — 0 —— 0.007  — — 4 — 0.067/0.007 4 21 5.2 0.022/0.007 4 47 11.8 0.007/0.00710 37 3.7 0.002/0.007 4 36 9.0 Dosage in mg active ingredient/ literfinal medium ppm) Synergy Cpd in ppm Racemic Thiabendazole/ ExpectedObserved Factor Thia- cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in % control in % SF= bendazole in ppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/%C_(exp) 0.6  — — — 13 — 0.2  — — — 12 — 0.023 — — — 7 —  0.0074 — — — 0— — 0.0074 — — 0 — — 0.0025 — — 4 — — 0.0008 — — 8 — — 0.0001 — — 3 —  0.6/0.0008 20 25 1.2   0.6/0.0001 15 24 1.6   0.2/0.0074 12 31 2.60.0223/0.0074 8 36 4.5 0.0223/0.0025 11 14 1.3 0.0223/0.0001 10 21 2.10.0074/0.0074 5 54 10.8 0.0074/0.0025 8 21 2.6 0.0074/0.0008 13 19 1.50.0074/0.0001 8 15 1.9

Example B-6 Activity Against Septoria tritici

Conidia of the fungus from cryogenic storage were directly mixed intonutrient broth (PDB potato dextrose broth). After placing a (DMSO)solution of the test compounds into a microtiter plate (96-well format)the nutrient broth containing the fungal spores was added. The testplates were incubated at 24° C. and the inhibition of growth wasdetermined photometrically after 72 hrs. The fungicide interactions inthe combinations are calculated according to COLBY method.

Control of Septoria tritici Dosage in mg active ingredient/ liter finalmedium ppm) Synergy Racemic Fludioxonil/ Expected Observed Factor Cpd inppm cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in % control in % SF = Fludioxonil inppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/% C_(exp) 0.067 — — — 9— 0.002 — — — 0 — — 0.067 — — 4 — — 0.022 — — 0 — — 0.007 — — 0 — —0.0003 — — 2 — 0.067/0.067 13 19 1.4 0.067/0.022 9 12 1.3 0.067/0.007 912 1.3 0.002/0.067 4 9 2.2 0.002/0.0003 2 8 4.0 Dosage in mg activeingredient/ liter final medium ppm) Synergy Racemic Thiabendazole/Expected Observed Factor Cpd in ppm cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in %control in % SF = Thiabendazole in ppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (%C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/% C_(exp) 1.8  — — — 1 — 0.6  — — — 3 — 0.067 — — — 0—  0.0223 — — — 0 — — 0.0074 — — 0 — — 0.0003 — — 1 — — 0.0001 — — 0 —  1.8/0.0003 2 4 2.0   1.8/0.0001 1 2 2.0   0.6/0.0074 3 7 2.3  0.6/0.0001 3 6 2.0  0.067/0.0003 1 5 5.0 0.0223/0.0003 1 3 3.0

Example B-7 Activity Against Fusarium graminearum

Conidia of the fungus from cryogenic storage were directly mixed intonutrient broth (PDB potato dextrose broth). After placing a (DMSO)solution of the test compounds into a microtiter plate (96-well format)the nutrient broth containing the fungal spores was added. The testplates were incubated at 24° C. and the inhibition of growth wasdetermined photometrically after 48 hrs. The fungicide interactions inthe combinations are calculated according to COLBY method.

Control of Fusarium graminearum Dosage in mg active ingredient/ literfinal medium ppm) Synergy Racemic Fludioxonil/ Expected Observed FactorCpd in ppm cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in % control in % SF =Fludioxonil in ppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/%C_(exp) 0.067 — — — 39 — 0.022 — — — 6 — 0.007 — — — 1 — — 0.6 — — 12 —— 0.2 — — 7 — — 0.067 — — 4 — — 0.007 — — 0 — — 0.0008 — — 0 —0.067/0.6  46 58 1.2 0.067/0.2  43 56 1.3 0.067/0.067 41 54 1.30.022/0.6  17 21 1.2 0.022/0.067 9 19 2.1 0.007/0.007 1 2 2.0 0.007/0.0008 1 5 5.0 Dosage in mg active ingredient/ liter final mediumppm) Synergy Cpd in ppm Racemic Cyproconazole/ Expected Observed FactorCypro- cpd Ia Racemic cpd Ia control in % control in % SF = conazole inppm in ppm/ppm (% C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/% C_(exp) 0.2  — — — 0— 0.022 — — — 1 — 0.002 — — — 5 — — 0.067 — — 10 — — 0.022 — — 0 — —0.0074 — — 0 — — 0.0001 — — 0 —  0.2/0.022 0 3 >100   0.2/0.0074 02 >100   0.2/0.0001 0 2 >100 0.022/0.22  1 2 2.0  0.002/0.0001 5 7 1.4Dosage in mg active ingredient/ liter final medium ppm) Synergy Cpd inppm Racemic Thiabendazole/ Expected Observed Factor Thia- cpd Ia Racemiccpd Ia control in % control in % SF = bendazole in ppm in ppm/ppm (%C_(exp)) (% C_(obs)) % C_(obs)/% C_(exp)  0.0223 — — — 0 —  0.0025 — — —1 — — 1.8 — — 18 — — 0.0667 — — 7 — — 0.0074 — — 0 — 0.0223/1.8   18 221.2 0.0223/0.0667 7 9 1.2 0.0025/1.8   19 27 1.4 0.0025/0.0074 1 3 3.0

The combinations according to the invention exhibit good activity in allof the above examples, where no individually specified data arereported.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling phytopathogenic diseaseson useful plants or on propagation material thereof, which comprisesapplying to the useful plants, the locus thereof or propagation materialthereof a combination of components A) and B) in a synergisticallyeffective amount, wherein component A) is a compound of formula I

wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen; or a tautomer of such acompound; and component B) is Difenoconazole, wherein the weight ratioof A) to B) is between 257:1 and 0.0015:1.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein component A) includes a mixture of compounds of formulaI_(I) and formula I_(II)

wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen.
 3. The method accordingto claim 2, wherein the mixture of compounds of formula I_(I) andformula I_(II) is from 65 to 99% by weight of component A).
 4. Afungicidal composition comprising a combination of components A) and B)in a synergistically effective amount together with an agriculturallyacceptable carrier, and optionally a surfactant, wherein component A) isa compound of formula I

wherein R₁ is difluoromethyl and R₂ is hydrogen; or a tautomer of such acompound; and component B) is Difenoconazole, wherein the weight ratioof A) to B) is between 257:1 and 0.0015:1.